WHITE CITY, Ore — Last year’s rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) was plagued by website crashes and technical issues, causing many students to miss crucial deadlines for federal financial aid. As the new presidential administration signals potential cuts to the Department of Education’s budget, key student aid programs may face reductions or elimination starting in the 2026–27 academic year.
Students enrolled in Oregon community colleges currently benefit from the Oregon Promise Grant, which covers tuition for up to 90 credits. However, looming federal budget cuts threaten programs like TRIO, which offer critical support to students navigating the complex financial aid process.
Frankie Everett, Financial Aid Director at Rogue Community College, emphasized the importance of the TRIO program, saying it provides hands-on assistance to students and families filling out their FAFSA applications. “The team sits with families to complete FAFSAs for hours, helping them through all the challenges they can’t navigate on their own,” Everett said.
Despite concerns about future funding, all allocations for the 2025–26 academic year have already been secured, meaning any changes due to federal cuts would not take effect until the 2026–27 academic year.
As students and families prepare for the upcoming academic years, financial aid offices and support programs remain cautiously optimistic, hoping to maintain critical resources amid uncertain federal funding.