Grassley Receives Inaugural Iowa TRIO Champion Award in Recognition of Outstanding Support for Iowa Students

Grassley Receives Inaugural Iowa TRIO Champion Award in Recognition of Outstanding Support for Iowa Students

WASHINGTON - Iowa TRIO awarded Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) its inaugural Iowa TRIO Champion Award in recognition of his work to support disadvantaged students. Grassley is a member of the Congressional TRIO Caucus.

The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students and people with disabilities as they pursue an education. TRIO programs in Iowa serve thousands of students every year. In February, Grassley sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon urging the agency to ensure the timely delivery of federal TRIO funds.

"Iowa TRIO is honored to award Senator Chuck Grassley our inaugural Iowa TRIO Champion Award. This award recognizes individuals and organizations that have supported and advocated for first-generation and/or low-income high school and college students in Iowa. Senator Grassley has been a long-standing champion of TRIO by allocating funds for our grants, being a dedicated member of the TRIO Caucus, and ensuring that programs are supported in Iowa. TRIO programs in Iowa serve more than 18,000 students annually since 1966. Iowa TRIO is grateful for the hard work Senator Grassley has done," said Dr. Caleb Carver, Iowa TRIO President.

Download photos HERE.

Grassley this morning delivered remarks on the Senate floor recognizing TRIO's achievements.

Floor Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Senate President Pro Tempore
"National TRIO Day"
Wednesday, March 11, 2026

VIDEO

I want to recognize the 40th anniversary of a day we call "National TRIO Day."

On February 24, 1986, a congressional resolution declared that February 28 should be designated "National TRIO Day." And, at the same time, I come here to recognize the achievements of the TRIO programs.

Although there are now six distinct TRIO programs, the name "TRIO" originated from the Higher Education [Amendments] of 1968. That act consolidated a "trio" of programs under one overall program.

Today, these six programs include Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Talent Search, Educational Opportunity Centers and the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program and [the] sixth, the Staff Development Training Program.

I am a long-time supporter of TRIO programs. I'm a member of the TRIO caucus in the United States Senate. [A]s a caucus member, I understand these programs provide critical support to low-income, first-generation college students and prospective students.

In 2025, 54 TRIO programs in Iowa served over 18,000 Iowans from sixth grade to graduate programs.

As we mark 40 years of the National TRIO Day, I commend the educators, commend the counselors and commend the staff, all who dedicate their careers to student success and, at the same time, I celebrate the generations of students whose lives have been transformed through TRIO.

I remain committed to supporting these vital programs so they may continue expanding opportunity and building stronger futures for Iowa and for the nation.

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