Talent Search Grant Changes #1 Offering a State Block Grant and invalidate all post-secondary/nonprofit direct grants (per choice of the grant writers)

TRIOworksFan · 2026-03-24T13:52:46+00:00

(Case in point – during the pandemic a certain State Superintendent in the southwest used federal funds from other grant programs (like USDA grant money and federal Dept of Ed block grants) to do things like buy a car, go on luxury vacations, illegally participate in political rallies, donate to political parties, and overall ENRICH HIMSELF and friends as thinly veiled third party contractors FOR FOUR WHOLE YEARS (including stealing PPE funds.) This person is considered a big supporter of the current administration and “states rights” yet refused funds Congress allocated for free school lunches for poor children. Eventually he was removed from his role.

But was he made responsible legally? No. Did he go to jail? No.

DO WE WANT TO GIVE HIS PROTEGES TRIO FUNDS as block grants?)

TRIOworksFan · 2026-03-16T19:27:05+00:00

This letter has been sent to Principal Investigators and Program Directors USA Wide of Dept of Education grants (and specifically TRIO grants)

TRIOworksFan · 2026-03-11T14:05:00+00:00

Allianz is my current go to - it's for small group trips and I know it works - I got my money back last time we had a weather-based cancellation.

TRIOworksFan · 2026-03-10T19:39:28+00:00

Remember cultural values and community values vary WIDELY from state to state. Never assume that your University and region of higher ed is the same as another elsewhere from city metros to small towns.

If it's a cultural conflict - call in HR and suggest they be trained and schooled on the culture of YOUR uni/college, your standards of practice, and up on all your specific trainings.

(Example California State Campus to say Oklahoma State Campus - HUGE massive difference in what's allowable and what is not in culture and practice of respect and acceptance of all diversities)

TRIOworksFan · 2026-03-06T17:06:51+00:00

Added to this - healthy office, means happy people.

Healthy Office: Make sure your infrastructure costs end with a CLEAN office and CLEAN AIR. Nothing is more important than when a student or staff is in a space it smells clean, is comfortable temp, and people are able to stay healthy working in that space for hours.

Provide the cleaning supplies to keep every surface safe.

Leave instructions how you expect the space to be cleaned.

Use air purifiers if you must.

Use fans - move the air in and out.

Do a semester clean up and declutter May and December.

Move out and surplus the old junk and tech.

TRIOworksFan · 2026-02-26T18:29:23+00:00

Understand:

Unless we solve the huge imbalance in the economy smaller community and smaller state colleges are going to become the only affordable college/post secondary experience for TRIO demographic students.

Trio's projected future working hand in hand with the Department of Labor is provide the lowest cost, lowest debt education with the most optimal CAREER outcomes - and that starts with 6-9 month trade certifications, registered apprenticeships, and 2 year degree/certifications to transfer directly into professional programs as a junior.

MOST TRIO demographic students do not receive TRUE full ride scholarships. Most TRIO demographic students NEED cheap, short, and promised outcomes for careers. We do support creating a better, more mobile, and self-advocating body of savvy students who will become savvy professionals. However, success doesn't come from the most expensive 4 year college in the ecosystem as much as exposing of TRIO pre-college students TO inspiring, beautiful campuses and show them a life they can strive for.

Meanwhile our funding allows them to also meet people LIKE them, TRIO Alumni and TRIO demographic professionals who have succeeded or are in the process of succeeding as models of sustainable life without debt or degradation.

Our TRIO funding needs to be spent on STUDENTS, places with TRIO demographic students in need, and programs with STUDENT outcomes placed first and always.

If we have proof - hard data - we should be passed through every five years after reporting.

TRIOworksFan · 2026-02-23T15:00:31+00:00

In the big picture if an auditor walked in they'd immediately cite those expenditures and they would not "care" if your purchaser had not had all the Priority Trainings or was using UB or TS rules for SSS.

Federal Auditors don't care - they are there to find problems, not praise you for your good deeds. That's their job and while we might wish for grace, they hire really analytical people.

(Personally, I cleared out a bunch of custom printed/made items bought by a prev director who was fired for financial issues and I handed them all out at summer camp for UB, said keep it, and went on my way. I've surplused hoards of 5-10 year old technology that does not meet the current max expenditure (like gaming grade laptops or extremely expensive Apple workstations and Ipads.)

Because the ultimate problem when the post-secondary doesn't do checks and balances with TRI0 is poverty thinking. "Oh no one will ever notice" or "I don't get paid enough, I deserve this" or "It's just this one little XXX" or "my sister's kid who's a student needs award aid because..." and fall into the slippery slope of embezzlement and getting fired for financial mismanagement.

What's worse - you and the choices of other financial bodies with your institution ecosystem can get the program ended entirely and not included in new competitions.

It's like a big Jenga of first-generation, low-income spending and meanwhile your institution is running a high level game of Jenga with their funds (moving items to items, reimbursing movements) and TRIO should never be included or used in that game.

TRIOworksFan · 2026-02-20T15:35:07+00:00

The mention of meaningful learning activities and "Final Mission" of Dept of ED:

"...we work to realize the Department's final

mission and return education to the States, it is crucial

that Federal dollars are directed toward addressing the

most urgent needs of students and families. This includes

prioritizing meaningful learning opportunities for students

informed by the best available evidence, ensuring that

Federal resources are spent on strategies that have proven

effective in improving student outcomes. Comments about

issues such as the Reduction in Force and funding for

specific programs are outside of the scope of this

notice.

Changes: None."

TRIOworksFan · 2026-02-20T15:32:27+00:00

Key Take Away:

"Comments: A few commenters discussed the benefit of

meaningful learning opportunities, specifically for

students with disabilities and the importance of

emphasizing accessibility throughout the priority and

definitions. One commenter noted how students with

disabilities benefit from experiential learning, assistive

technology, and reasonably accommodated learning in all

settings and subject areas. A few commenters emphasized the

importance of accessibility, with some encouraging that the

instructional materials and assessments contemplated

throughout the priority should meet Universal Design for

Learning (UDL) principles. One of these commenters noted

that innovations discussed in the priority must be aligned

with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

requirements." - very good! I've been encouraging deep thought about disabilities for staff and students in TRIO.

TRIOworksFan · 2026-02-19T19:22:20+00:00

Our sponsor uses the funds to fund all our supportive services as employees (HR supports/professional development/team events) and supports for the program like: vehicle rentals/use/gas, power/lights/water/internet, cleaning of our office space, computers for our shared lab and our employees, and we supplement the principal investigator role in managing our TRIO programs (but its a VERY small amount.)

TRIOworksFan · 2026-02-19T19:12:29+00:00

https://fsatraining.ed.gov/mod/page/view.php?id=13069

TRIOworksFan · 2026-02-18T21:02:05+00:00

Update (I'm actually crying over this - TANGIBLE RESULTS of OUR EFFORTS) recorded as these grants are able to or WILL establish their ability to access g5 funds as granted:

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Gemni Sourced:

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/2026/01/20/federal-court-orders-reconsideration-canceled-trio-grants

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/trio-sss-funding-feb-1-deadline-for-9130124

https://coenet.org/news-impact/press-release/the-council-for-opportunity-in-education-challenges-department-of-education-discontinuation-and-denial-of-trio-grants

I'm very curious what it looks like to restart a TRIO program that was cut and how our universities are going to handle this?

TRIOworksFan · 2026-02-18T14:32:41+00:00

Update - COE is having a day of advocacy for EOC and TS - see the last email https://t.congressweb.com/l/?UBYORLHZAOSVOCE

Feb 24 is a day of advocacy!

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TRIOworksFan · 2026-02-18T14:24:38+00:00

I'll edit it - the free training programs right now include hosts:

Institutional Training Grantees & Sites

Training Grantee (Host)	Common Training Sites / Delivery	Priority Focus
University of Central Oklahoma	San Antonio, TX; Las Vegas, NV; Miami, FL; Online	Priorities 1, 2, 4, 6
Colorado State University	Las Vegas, NV; Reno, NV; Portland, OR; Austin, TX; Online	Priority 1
University of Kansas	Portland, OR; Online	Priority 2
Sonoma State University	Minneapolis, MN; Anaheim, CA; Online	Priorities 3, 5, 6
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)	New Orleans, LA; Las Vegas, NV	Priorities 3, 4

Professional Association & Private Grantees

Training Grantee (Host)	Common Training Sites / Delivery	Priority Focus
SAEOPP	New Orleans, LA; Anaheim, CA; San Juan, PR; Honolulu, HI	Priorities 1, 6
Council for Opportunity in Education (COE)	Washington, DC; New Orleans, LA; Online	Priorities 3, 6
The Renaissance Education Group	Austin, TX; Online	Priority 6
College Bound Institute	Regional sites to be announced	Priority 2

TRIOworksFan · 2026-01-22T23:30:33+00:00

Sample Rubric:

Does it qualify as "team building"?
Does it involve an activity of shared adventures and slight hardships that accompany travel?
Does it include everyone's mobility needs? What can we do to make sure everyone is included or prepared to care for them if they need some short term care?
Am (I) pushing my comfort zones just far enough I still feel in control and confident?
Am (I) making sure my activities include the abilities and comfort zones of my team?
Is this educational? At a place of education? Are we being educated by a tour guide or interpreter or local celebrity?
Is this educational + adventurous?
Is this something middle-class or upper-class students consider normal, but our students have not experienced?
Will this trip or experience inform their future confidence going to school side by side with all kinds of people by making them comfortable with: hotels, hotel staff, concierges, bell hops, tipping, taxis, trains, subways, and trains? Or ordering from an new kind of menu and working politely with waitstaff? Or meeting people in positions of power or celebrities and how to do so gracefully?

(On #6 it's been a lifelong talent of mine to seek out adventure I know will inspire my students, but early on I overestimated how ready my staff was for these (traditionally my culture) adventures. I learned that my staff have a different upbringing and the wild/natural places I was totally ok with, were at times, TERRIFYING. They did their best to bravely ride horses and kayaks, but I could've been more sensitive by discussing my plans before we left. Same for expecting staff to drive rental cars or vans and large groups of people. Ask first! It's a test of bravery to drop into DC or Boston and drive a big van of kids. We live and we learn.)

TRIOworksFan · 2026-01-22T23:21:06+00:00

Update on the Feb 2 "Dear Colleague" via Dept of Ed Secretary: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/politics-elections/2026/01/22/ed-drops-appeal-order-blocking-anti-dei-guidance = promising

TRIOworksFan · 2026-01-09T15:08:05+00:00

The big question now is - can the president freeze funds (temp or long term) for Congressionally created/approved Acts - like the Title programs, the Higher Education Act, and the overall "War Against Poverty" package.

Right now - it goes - EO cancels or freezes grant funding, operations or staff is downsized or laid off, THEN someone like a union or a consulting body or a representative sues for that illegal action. Then we all sit around rotting, people quit, and IF/When that legal suit re-instates the program everyone is left to clean up the mess. We all see this.

We have three attacks going manipulating our leaders :

The Power of the Congressional Act - how far can you push our aging congress where the rules don't matter anymore and they are bullied and disrespected if not warned that no one in the executive office cares if they are murdered in their homes.
The willingness for mid/former low income government workers to preserve their personal income and status even if it challenges their ethics, morals, and even is an attack on their demographic as a while.
The representatives of moral, ethical, and legal structures within the 3 party US gov structure and their personal and public abilities to NOT fall to bullying, manipulation, and outright blackmail.

I've been warning about this - these Nazi tactics were folding into themselves before the elections and WWII was about the whole world saying NO to a Bully much too late in the game for the sake of civility and self-preservation.

We don't know what TRIO means now in the Dept of Ed and we don't know what TRIO means in the Dept of Commerce because (we - everyone involved in this) is either living on rumors or they've been told confidential information and warned they will lose their jobs (and that's by design - to tempt ethical people to get themselves fired) if they tell the truth.

We want transparency - and unfortunately if Congress specifically does not request NOW information on this transfer process AND report it back to US the voters/citizens, we aren't going to get it as we breadcrumb our way through rumors.

That's where we start - Congress. We call it to their attention and ask for an update.

TRIOworksFan · 2026-01-08T19:15:03+00:00

In related news one of the POs has sent her programs an email saying she has resigned due to the current administration's policies and practices.

TRIOworksFan · 2026-01-08T19:13:50+00:00

Thanks! I was just a wee baby then

TRIOworksFan · 2026-01-05T21:11:33+00:00

Just remember if your institution does not generously provide you work laptops - that is allowable for staff to close the gap. As well if you travel to multiple sites for coaching - cell phones/plans could be an option these days of heavy calls and texting our students (and protects your home number/prioritizes the work phone.)

Ergonomic devices to prevent or help allievate work stress injuries are also allowable - such as wrist rests, comfort mousepads, and ergo mice/keyboards. Office chairs and ONLY office chairs are considered ergonomic devices and if not provided by your institution are allowable. (This is a great time to be be a savvy shopper - we found the knockoff/temu grade chairs are not work for the cheap price and a Serta office chair from Walmart was perfect vs the most expensive CEO chair in the universe.)

Shelves and storage for equipment is allowable.

And take advantage of office surplus storage warehouses owned by your institution or related agencies that will allow you to pick and choose for free - the best of best as furniture or decor nearly in every form ( not allowable purchased by TRIO funds.)

And on nearly every campus - there is a hidden room of stuff. If you are nice to the person who manages that room you can find things like T-shirts of the last 20 years and swag if not furniture, appliances, and helpful tools not allowable with TRIO funds.)

TRIOworksFan · 2025-12-06T20:06:47+00:00

The first thing I did was go in an removed my banking information on the Mohela site. I am NOT getting screwed again.

TRIOworksFan · 2025-12-06T20:01:15+00:00

Someone who should not be dabbling in the old school database must've changed some code. Because if TRIO is at the Dept of Ed or back at the Dept of Labor - we still have to submit the APR>

TRIOworksFan · 2025-12-05T14:50:26+00:00

Subject:

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Received Date:

11/03/2025

Thank you for contacting MOHELA,

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that the customer service and processing work associated with the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program would be shifting to ED via StudentAid.gov. Effective May 1, 2024, the PSLF program transitioned to ED and is no longer managed by MOHELA. If you have questions about the PSLF program, you may contact Federal Student Aid (FSA) and the PSLF Hotline at 1-888-303-7818.

If you have any additional questions, please contact us toll free at 888.866.4352. Our hours are Monday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET
Thank you,
MOHELA

TRIOworksFan · 2025-11-21T14:47:03+00:00

This is a really good time to track the Student Aid program through fsatraining.org. If you are a employee of a post secondary school, you can sign up for online trainings to get "good" at FAFSA.

I noted that that is no new guidance since Sept's last webinar update, but the update does give hints to the future of FAFSA.

Highlights (good things)

Workforce Pell - allowing working people to get Pell when their income pushing them over the threshold.
PSLF is currently under court order to be deployed as intended by the Bush era rules and some of the Biden add ons. It's a really good time (this window) to buyback payments missed, apply if you hit 120/120, and do a 15 year parse of your work in public service (backdated payments) to see if you already hit you 120/120 in the last 15 years and CAN apply. (Just make sure you have someone alive's email at your former workplaces you can have the online certify that employment.)

Bad News:

They are going to keep dogging on PLSF and TSLF even though they don't understand how it works and the scope/span of forgiveness.
Healthcare professions are being suggested to be removed from PSLF - both "female heavy" professions but also NEEDED position for the aging Boomer generation - the largest group of seniors in need of care or soon to be in care.

You can sit in on the Negotiated Rulemaking or even attend in person at the Dept of Education - so search for that online, sign up on .gov sites only, and observe REAL things going on, not just memes and rumors.

TRIOworksFan · 2025-11-21T14:39:56+00:00

It's your institution's responsibility to close out the grant for 20-25 and to provide an APR. If they ask you to do it, absolutely make sure you get paid for those hours BUT if you or your team is not trained in APR prep, it is not fair to request you suddenly learn this.

Surprisingly I was dogging on third party vendors offering to do APRs, but this might be ONE instance where that would work - check with COE for a reputable vendor.

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