Coup for low-income students

Last week, Congress shot down severe cuts to financial aid programs proposed by President Trump in March.

As reported in CN&R (see “Grant funding threatened,” Newslines, March 30), Chico State stood to lose about $235,000 in one area alone: TRIO, which funds programs like Upward Bound, which helps first-generation students succeed through college.

According to the Center for American Progress, Trump’s proposed budget would have cut TRIO and the similar GEAR UP program by $193 million (Congress’ plan would add $67 million); Pell grant surpluses by $3.9 billion (Congress would cut $1.2 billion); and federal work-study by $318 million (Congress proposes no cuts).

Congress still must pass its 2018 spending bill, however, leaving the door open to further cuts.