FY 25 TRIO funding still in flux
With less than two weeks left in fiscal year 2025, many community colleges have not yet received their expected TRIO award disbursements.
Many colleges expected to see awards processed for TRIO’s Upward Bound, Veterans Upward Bound, Educational Opportunity Centers and Talent Search programs by the end of August and are still waiting. The U.S. Education Department has said continuation awards will be dispersed before the fiscal year ends on September 30. Funds not disbursed by then will go back to the U.S. Treasury Department and cannot be awarded to colleges.
While community colleges hope ED will ultimately award the funds to many of community college TRIO programs, anxiety remains over meeting that disbursement deadline and whether colleges will see any of their continuation awards terminated as part of the department’s evaluation process.
Throughout the spring and summer, a few community colleges received notices that some TRIO Upward Bound and Student Support Services would not be continued. While colleges with canceled projects can ask for an appeal, these cancellations were often received within days of the expected disbursement date. This forced colleges to make tough decisions, such as furloughing staff and discontinuing student services while awaiting a resolution.
For colleges that have not yet received expected TRIO awards this fall, this uncertainty makes it extremely difficult to plan financially.
If you have received a notice of non-continuation, please contact AACC’s Office of Government Relations ( opens in a new windowogr@aacc.nche.educreate new email).
FSA opens beta testing of 2026-27 FAFSA to all
The U.S. Education Department’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) on Wednesday announced that the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open to all students and families.
FSA began its first round of beta testing in early August, inviting a limited set of students and families to access the form at events in partnership with college access groups and counselors. Following a successful first round of beta testing, FSA moved to a second beta test in late August, opening the form to more students and families beyond those participating in FAFSA completion events. As of this week, all students and families may now fill out the FAFSA by opens in a new windowrequesting access to join the second beta test.
The 2026-27 FAFSA will formally launch on October 1.