Since its inception in 1964, TRIO has been responsible for over two million students from low-income backgrounds earning college degrees. Otherwise disenfranchised citizens can now seize the American Dream and be contributing, responsible members of society because they have an education and the power to change the course of their lives. We need YOU to protect TRIO. As you know, Congress recently cut TRIO funding by $26.1 million dollars. While this may seem like small numbers on a balance sheet, in reality, it means we now serve several thousand fewer students across the country. Our country needs skilled and educated individuals and TRIO Programs fill that need.