New England Educational Opportunity Association

Congratulations to our Essay Scholarship Winners!

Your stories reminded us that being first-generation and/or low-income is not a limitation; it is a source of strength, resilience, courage, and vision. Through your essays, you shared powerful reflections on breaking barriers, pursuing higher education, overcoming obstacles, and dreaming beyond limits.

Thank you to every student who submitted their story and trusted us with your lived experiences. Your voices matter, your journeys matter, and your futures are incredibly bright. ❤️

Please continue sharing this opportunity with your students and communities! This competition was created to uplift and amplify the voices of FGLI students through storytelling and scholarship support.

Essay Categories Included:
• The First, Not the Last
• Breaking Barriers
• Dreaming Beyond Limits
• Open Category

The strength of TRIO has always been rooted in collective advocacy, and now is the time to raise our voices! We have NO other choice, NEOA.

We’re encouraging the TRIO community to take part in TRIO POWER HOUR: a moment during your lunch break or personal time to call your representatives and members of Congress and urge them to Rescind, Revise, and Reissue the current RFPs impacting TRIO programs.

Because advocacy and lobbying cannot take place during work hours, using your lunch break ensures we remain compliant while still showing up powerfully for the students and communities we serve. Even a few minutes can make a real impact when we act together.

We especially need to hear from our state leaders. Your updates and insights are critical as we coordinate across the region and nationally.

As you continue outreach to congressional delegates, alumni, and partners, please also help us stay informed by sharing:

1) Any state entities planning to apply for Talent Search or EOC grants
2) Feedback or outcomes from recent congressional outreach to oppose the RFPs
3) Any other updates or developments that could inform COE’s national advocacy efforts

Please send updates by the end of the day Monday, April 20.

When TRIO shows up together, we are impossible to ignore. Let’s make this TRIO POWER HOUR count.

Council for Opportunity in Education - COE