Rep. Davis Honors First-Generation College Celebration Day by Championing Bills to Help First-Generation, Low-Income, and Veteran Students Succeed in College

Washington, D.C.- On November 7, 2023, Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL) introduced the Dr. William W. Sullivan TRIO Upward Bound Student Stipend Support Act and the Earl N. Williams, Sr., First Chance Act to help vulnerable students succeed in college by modernizing the financial supports for participants in the TRIO Upward Bound and Student Support Services programs. 

Higher education offers a critical pathway to economic security.  The Federal TRIO programs have increased the enrollment and success of millions of students underrepresented in postsecondary education - including students who are low-income, first-generation, individuals with disabilities, experiencing homelessness, in foster care, limited English proficiency, and veterans.  The three Upward Bound programs – Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math and Science, and Veterans Upward Bound - provide skills needed to enter and succeed in college, such as academic instruction, financial literacy, mentoring, and counseling.  In FY22, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math Science, and Veterans Upward Bound funded a combined 1,330 projects that served approximately 97,555 participants.  These TRIO programs offer monthly stipends to help participants engage and persist in focusing on college success. Remarkably, these stipends remain the same as when they were created in 1980.  Similarly, the Student Support Services program has empowered college students under-represented in higher education to reach their full potential via academic tutoring, counseling regarding education and finances, and mentoring. In FY22, Student Support Services funded 1,162 projects that served over 200,000 students. 

The Dr. William W. Sullivan TRIO Upward Bound Student Stipend Support Act of 2023 would increase Upward Bound stipends and index future awards to inflation to help aspiring students remain engaged in college-focused programming.  In particular, the billwould:

• Increase the maximum stipend for youth participants from $40 to $120 monthly during the school year and from $60 to $180 monthly during summer recess;
• Raise the maximum stipend award for participants in a work-study position from $300 to $900 monthly during summer recess; and
• Boost the maximum stipend for veteran participants from $40 to $300 monthly.

The Earl N. Williams, Sr., First Chance Actwould provide Supplemental Support Services participants with small stipends to help cover basic expenses during the first year of college and unexpected emergency costs during college.  A group of Chicago TRIO program administrators realized that their students struggled to afford basic college necessities and emergency expenses compared to their peers, increasing student stress and disconnection from school.  To meet these needs and barriers to college success, the bill would:

• Provide basic assistance grants to cover initial expenses during the first year of college, with the amount of grant and uses determined by programs; and
• Allow up to $500 per academic year per student for emergency assistance grants to cover unanticipated expenses fundamental for students’ persistence in college.

“Higher education offers a critical pathway to economic security,” said Rep. Davis.  “The TRIO Upward Bound and Student Support Services programs provide essential supports to help low-income, first-generation students access and thrive in college.  Shockingly, Congress has not increased the student stipends in over four decades.  Today is National First-Generation College Celebration Day, and I am proud to lead these bills that draw on the expertise of Chicago TRIO administrators to modernize the TRIO stipends.  The bills increase the flagship Upward Bound stipends to support student participation in the programs and provide new stipends for Student Support Services participants to cover basic expenses as they start college and small emergencies to help them remain in college.”

The Earl N. Williams, Sr., First Chance Act and The Dr. William W. Sullivan TRIO Upward Bound Student Stipend Support Act of 2023are supported by the Council for Opportunity in Education that offers training and services to student support staff at more than 1,000 colleges, universities, and agencies to help low-income students enter college and graduate.

Organizational Quotes:

Council for Opportunity in Education

“As high school students are often forced to choose between learning and earning, particularly during the summer, we are thrilled that The TRIO Upward Bound Student Stipend Support Act of 2023eases this burden for students in TRIO’s Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science, and Veterans Upward Bound programs by raising the statutory limit on student stipends, which haven’t budged in decades. The Council for Opportunity in Education is grateful to Congressman Davis for his leadership on this issue, which will make a significant difference in the lives of low-income, potential first-generation college graduates in Chicago and beyond." – Kimberly Jones, President, Council for Opportunity in Education

Introspect Youth Services

“The TRIO Upward Bound Student Stipends Support Act of 2023 will lessen the financial insecurities many first-generation students experience during high school. Coupled with the Earl N. Williams, Sr., First Chance Act, which will provide supplemental support for low-income students in Student Support Programs, increases the safety net for our most vulnerable students. Congressman Davis continues to be one of the strongest advocates for first-generation and low-income students in Higher Education.”

– Bernard Clay, Executive Director of Introspect Youth Services

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