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 of the TRIO Educational Opportunity Center programs Thursday, Oct. 1, crediting residents who contacted their congressional representatives after her June town hall.

"I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to write to your representatives or make phone calls," Viscarra wrote. "Your voices matter, and civic engagement does make a difference."

Renewal follows uncertainty over TRIO funding

The renewal followed months of uncertainty over the future of federal TRIO programs.

The Trump administration moved in 2025 to discontinue some TRIO grants, including programs the Education Department said conflicted with federal policies restricting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Congress later maintained funding for TRIO and other education programs for fiscal year 2026.

Viscarra said that while some TRIO programs nationally faced cuts, the Educational Opportunity Center programs at MDC and FIU survived.

The U.S. Department of Education opened a new Educational Opportunity Centers grant competition in 2026, with more than $52 million estimated to be available nationally.

Programs help residents navigate higher education

TRIO has roots in the Sunny Isles Beach area. FIU has hosted TRIO programs supporting local families since 1992, and MDC has hosted TRIO programs since 2006, according to a June column by Viscarra.

Educational Opportunity Centers are designed primarily to help adults enter or continue postsecondary education. Services can include help with college applications, financial aid, career planning, GED programs and other education and training opportunities.

MDC's Educational Opportunity Center provides free college, career and financial aid advising to eligible Miami-Dade County residents. The college says its 2026-27 federal funding totals $299,600 and is intended to serve 1,070 participants.

June town hall led to call for advocacy

At Viscarra's June town hall, guest speaker Veritza Kostovski, director of MDC's TRIO Educational Opportunity Center, walked attendees through college costs and funding options.

Kostovski discussed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, scholarships and other forms of financial aid. She also discussed apprenticeships and "career in a year" programs for adults returning to school.

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.

Nationally, the eight federal TRIO programs serve nearly 900,000 participants and receive about $1.2 billion annually. The programs trace their origins to the 1960s.

Viscarra's Oct. 1 announcement did not specify the value of FIU's renewed grant or how many participants its Educational Opportunity Center is expected to serve.