College-access programs at Miami Dade College and Florida International University that help local students and adults pursue higher education will continue for five more years.

Sunny Isles Beach Vice Mayor Jeniffer Viscarra announced the renewal Thursday, Oct. 1, crediting residents who contacted their congressional representatives after concerns arose earlier this year about the future of federal TRIO funding.

"I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to write to your representatives or make phone calls," Viscarra said in the announcement.

The federal TRIO programs provide education and student-support services aimed primarily at low-income students, prospective first-generation college students and others facing barriers to higher education.

Miami Dade College's Educational Opportunity Center provides free college, career and financial aid advising to eligible Miami-Dade County residents. Services include assistance with college applications and enrollment, FAFSA and financial aid, GED and high school completion, career counseling, vocational and apprenticeship programs and financial literacy.

MDC says its Educational Opportunity Center will receive $299,600 in federal funding for the 2026-27 year and is expected to serve 1,070 participants.

Funding uncertainty prompted local advocacy

The renewal followed months of uncertainty over the federal programs.

At a town hall hosted by Viscarra earlier this year, Veritza Kostovski, director of Miami Dade College's TRIO Educational Opportunity Center, discussed college affordability, financial aid and education opportunities for adults returning to school.

Kostovski discussed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, scholarships and other forms of financial aid, as well as apprenticeships and "career in a year" programs.

After the event, Viscarra urged residents to contact U.S. Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody and U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson to advocate for continued TRIO funding.

The federal government held a new competition for Educational Opportunity Center grants in 2026. The U.S. Department of Education said more than $52 million was expected to be available for the program.

The first round of 2026 awards included 102 Educational Opportunity Center grants receiving about $45 million, according to the Council for Opportunity in Education. Additional applicants remained under consideration.

TRIO has long history in Miami-Dade

TRIO programs have operated in the Miami-Dade area for decades.

In a June column, Viscarra said TRIO has supported local families since 1992 through FIU programs including Upward Bound and Student Support Services. Miami Dade College has hosted TRIO programs since 2006.

Those programs are part of the broader federal TRIO system, which includes Educational Opportunity Centers, Upward Bound, Talent Search, Student Support Services and other initiatives designed to expand access to higher education.

MDC's Educational Opportunity Center is open to eligible Miami-Dade County residents and does not require participants to attend Miami Dade College to receive its services.