Continuing the College Access Conversation

Aired April 20, 2026

The landscape for federal TRIO programs has shifted dramatically since we talked about it in January. The Department of Education (ED) has issued new grant proposals that would cut the number of programs by more than half and fundamentally redirect TRIO away from its mission of college access. 

We welcomed back Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education, to walk us through what’s at stake for these programs and the students they serve. The hosts also give the latest updates on ED's negotiated rulemaking and more. 


Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:

U.S. Department of Education Issues Proposed Rule to Hold Colleges and Universities Accountable for Low Earning Outcomes | April 17, 2026

ED Pushes Ahead on Accreditation Overhaul Despite Negotiator Pushback 
ACE | April 20, 2026

Accreditation discussion draft

Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Foreign Gifts and Contracts Disclosures 
Federal Register | April 15, 2026

What drove Hampshire College to shutter, despite raising $55 million 
The Christian Science Monitor | April 18, 2026

Council for Opportunity in Education and TRIO Programs

COE Trio Advocacy

Congressional Outreach Packet

Labor Soliciting Applications for TRIO Grant on ED’s Behalf
Inside Higher Ed | March 18, 2026

The Council for Opportunity in Education Condemns Latest TRIO Grant Proposal, Calls It “Direct Assault on College Access”
Council for Opportunity in Education \ March 24, 2026

COE Blasts Latest Federal Proposal for TRIO, Calls for Immediate RescissionTRIO, Calls for Immediate Rescission
Council for Opportunity in Education | March 31, 2026

COE Rejects Proposal to Eliminate Federal TRIO Programs in FY 2027 Budget 
Council for Opportunity in Education | April 3, 2026

Advocates worry about Trump administration funding for college‑access programs for low-income students 
NBC 4 Washington | April 2, 2026

Hosts and Guests
Transcript
​Transcript to come
About the Podcast

​​Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE are joined by guest experts to lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more. Find all episodes of the podcast at the dotEDU page.

Listen and Subscribe

Spotify  

Amazon Music 

Join Us for dotEDU Live​

Talking about these issues is not just important—it’s necessary. Be part of the conversation: Sign up for the dotEDU Live email list to join our regular live podcast recordings.​

ACE's email opt-in form uses iframes. If you do not see the form, please check your tracking or privacy settings.​​​​​​​​​​

​​Connect ​With Us

​Send suggestions and questions to podcast@acenet.edu.

​See all episodes​