SWASAP - Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs

SWASAP members spotted in Hawaii attending Sonoma State Priority Five Training and the WESTOP Annual Conference.

🚨 TRIO community—this is urgent.

COE is calling out a new federal proposal that could gut the Talent Search program and reshape its mission entirely.

What’s at risk:
❌ Services for 300,000 students
❌ Up to two-thirds of programs nationwide
❌ The core mission of helping students get to college

Instead of expanding opportunity, this proposal shifts focus toward workforce pipelines for middle and high school students—potentially redirecting students away from higher education altogether.

“This is a direct assault on educational opportunity,” said COE President Kimberly Jones.

📢 Now is the time to speak up.
📖 Read the full statement and understand what’s at stake: https://coenet.org/news-impact/press-release/the-council-for-opportunity-in-education-condemns-latest-trio-grant-proposal-calls-it-direct-assault-on-college-access/

The Council for Opportunity in Education Condemns Latest TRIO Grant Proposal, Calls It “Direct Assault on College Access” - Council for Opportunity in Education COE is urging Congress to immediately intervene and force the Department of Education to rescind its FY 2026 Talent Search proposal, warning that it would abandon the federal commitment to college access for low-income and first-generation students.

TRIO Fam - photos are up from
Check them out on COE's Flickr account: https://www.flickr.com/photos/councilforopportunityineducation/albums/

💙 TRIO Funding Secured for FY26 💙
This week, the President signed the $1.2 trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, officially ending the partial government shutdown and funding federal agencies—including the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal TRIO Programs—through September 30.
For TRIO, this is big news:
✅ $1.191 billion in sustained TRIO funding is now law
✅ Previously agreed FY26 funding levels and report language are locked in
✅ ED is directed to fund TRIO at current levels
✅ Talent Search & EOC competition notices must be published
✅ Grant award notifications are required by June 30.
This outcome reflects strong advocacy, congressional engagement, and the power of showing up together. We’ll continue working to protect and strengthen TRIO—but today, we celebrate progress.
@ Louisiana Association of Student Assistance Programs (LASAP) Texas TRIO Association Oklahoma Division of Student Assistance (ODSA) Arkansas TRIO TRIO New Mexico

Listen to this recent episode of the ACE dotEDU Podcast, featuring COE President Jones in a wide-ranging and candid conversation about the state of TRIO. Oklahoma Division of Student Assistance (ODSA)
https://www.acenet.edu/Pages/dotedu/148-Future-of-TRIO.aspx

📣 SWASAP Members — The 3rd Edition of SWASAP TIMES Is Coming!

We’re thrilled to announce that the next issue of SWASAP TIMES—our quarterly regional newsletter—is in development! This publication uplifts our member states, revitalizes SWASAP communications, and shines a light on the incredible work happening across our TRIO community.

And we want YOU to be part of it. Don’t get left out!
We invite TRIO programs across the SWASAP region to submit:
✨ Program highlights
✨ Student success stories
✨ Alumni spotlights
✨ Event recaps
✨ Staff achievements
✨ Photos, announcements & updates

When we share our success, we all grow stronger. Let’s come together to elevate the impact of TRIO across the SWASAP region and celebrate the work transforming lives every day.

📩 Submit your publication requests here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPoH9pAYfXeZvu9PIRTAWObrPlEpRjwYC8KfnTEdYMzDN1bw/viewform

Thank you for your continued excellence and for helping us keep our TRIO family connected, inspired, and informed.

With appreciation,
SWASAP Publications & Communications Committee

📚 SWASAP Scholarship Readers Wanted! ✨

Join the SWASAP Scholarship Committee as a volunteer reader for our Collegiate Scholarship Competition. Help review applications Nov 17–21, 2025. Training video and all materials provided!

🗓 Volunteer deadline: Nov 14, 2025
🕘 Reading dates: Nov 17–21, 2025
🔗 Sign up: https://forms.gle/CtoaZfJLtpBmAvCT7
✉️ Questions? [email protected]

Sign up today — your time helps students succeed! 🙌

🙌🏽 Thank you to our amazing SWASAP Conference Vendors & Sponsors! 💙❤️

Your support made the 54th Annual SWASAP Conference in Houston a true TRIO Homecoming—full of energy, connection, and purpose. We couldn’t do this work without partners like YOU!

Celebrating the 2025 SWASAP TRIO Achievers!

Last week at the 54th Annual SWASAP Conference in Houston, Texas, we proudly recognized the 2025 SWASAP TRIO Achievers—extraordinary alumni whose journeys embody the transformative power of TRIO.

These outstanding individuals represent the best of our region, each one a testament to the life-changing impact of access, opportunity, and education:

📍 Arkansas: Dr. Saron Morrison, Upward Bound, Philander Smith College
📍 Louisiana: Dr. Derrick Lathan, Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, Louisiana State University
📍 New Mexico: Wakeel Aviola, TRIO Student Support Services
📍 Oklahoma: Jeanna Charpentier, TRIO Student Support Services, Oklahoma City College and University of Central Oklahoma
📍Texas: Dr. Zuri Dale, Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program Texas Southern University

Their accomplishments remind us that TRIO works—and continues to create pathways for generations of first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students to rise, lead, and thrive.

Congratulations to our 2025 SWASAP TRIO Achievers! Your success stories inspire us all.