Nevada is one of 21 jurisdictions that filed a legal brief this fall opposing abrupt federal cuts to long-standing grants under the TRIO program, which helps first-generation, low-income and underrepresented college students, according to the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE).
The organization reports that more than 40,000 students could lose access to federal supports that states say were canceled without proper notice. COE said the cuts were disruptive to both students and universities that rely on consistent federal funding.
In Nevada, the impact is clear. Last year, institutions including the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the University of Nevada, Reno, and the College of Southern Nevada received 36 TRIO grants totaling roughly $11.8 million. Those funds supported about 8,000 students, according to The Nevada Independent.
Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford said the federal decision applied new policy criteria retroactively to existing grants and “undercuts decades of progress” in expanding college access, The Nevada Independent reported.
The states’ legal filing argues that the abrupt cancellation of grants will reduce the number of college graduates, weaken state workforces and hurt local economies that increasingly depend on higher-education credentials. The filing also emphasizes the importance of predictable federal funding for long-term educational planning, according to a COE press release.
Legal analysts note that the case raises questions under the Administrative Procedure Act and other federal statutes. They argue that the U.S. Department of Education appears to have ended funding without completing a rule-making process or providing a clear justification, according to case information from the Clearinghouse for Educational Rights.
Supporters of the TRIO programs highlight that they provide tutoring, mentoring and financial aid guidance. These wraparound services are proven to improve retention and graduation rates for low-income students. With the changes, Nevada colleges are now exploring how to replace lost federal funding or scale back student services to stay operational.
The uncertainty comes at a time when Nevada’s economy relies heavily on a workforce with degrees and technical certifications. Higher education leaders warn that reduced federal support could slow the state’s progress in building a skilled labor pipeline.
If the court issues a preliminary injunction, TRIO funding could be restored and some programs preserved. If the court does not act, colleges may need to depend on state or philanthropic funds to continue providing services. The decision will likely determine how much responsibility states must assume when federal policy changes midstream.
Key questions remain. Will the Education Department reopen TRIO grant competitions under prior rules? Can states increase their own funding to prevent future disruptions? And how many students might leave college or delay graduation because of service reductions?
For Nevada, the stakes are significant. Policy shifts in Washington can ripple through classrooms in Reno, Las Vegas and rural campuses across the state. The outcome of this legal battle will shape how Nevada balances federal and state responsibilities in meeting its higher education and workforce goals.
Sources and Further Reading
- States, including Nevada, call Trump admin’s reduction of college student supports ‘unlawful’ — The Nevada Independent
- Michigan AG Joins Multistate Briefs Supporting National TRIO Programs — Michigan.gov Press Release
- Council for Opportunity in Education Applauds 21 States Defending TRIO Students — COE Press Release
- Cancelled Funding to Help Disadvantaged Students Access College — Edvisors Blog
