But proposed federal budget would slash funds intended to helpdisadvantaged students

As Flathead Valley Community College celebrates National TRIO Day on Friday, Feb. 24, Congress considers proposed cuts to these programs that help disadvantaged students attend college.

Lynn Farris, TRIO director at the college, said the Bush administration's budget eliminates dollars for Upward Bound. It also contains a $500,000 cut to Student Support Services.

"In the long-term, five-year budget plan, it disappears," she said.

The fight for survival is nothing new to Farris and other TRIO program supporters. With help from Montana's congressional delegation, funding was restored after a similar cut was included in last year's proposed budget.

TRIO refers to programs funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. TRIO programs are intended to help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education.

Farris said that TRIO isn't the only educational program targeted for reduction. Analysis of the federal budget reveals long-term cuts amounting to 20 percent to higher education and 13 percent to programs for students in grades kindergarten through 12th.

"The TRIO community is just noisier," Farris said. "We have good strong grassroots support."

Those roots stretch to Washington, D.C. She said Montana Sens. Conrad Burns and Max Baucus and Rep. Denny Rehberg have vowed to fight for the programs.

TRIO programs bring $8.6 million in federal dollars to Montana, Farris said.

"That's quite a bit of money coming into our state for education," she said. "It would be difficult to replace."

Because of the bipartisan support for the programs, Farris is optimistic that TRIO again will dodge the budget ax. But she encourages people, particularly those benefiting from the programs, to speak out.

"It's important for people to hear from our students," she said.

Local TRIO projects helped 91 students through Upward Bound at area high schools, while Student Support Services helped more than 400 community-college students stay in school.

But the need is actually much greater, Farris said. Because of funding limitations, the programs here and nationwide serve only 10 percent of those who qualify.

Since 1972, Student Support Services on the college campus has assisted disadvantaged and disabled students with academic and career counseling, tutoring, transfer advising, and a language arts and math lab.

Farris said the assistance cut the typical community-college dropout rate from about 50 percent to 18 percent for students receiving the help.

Upward Bound began helping local high-school students in 1992. Students with low family incomes or parents who didn't attend college qualify.

An Upward Bound staff member at each high school helps students and parents to overcome such barriers as poor study skills and lack of college savings.

"About 92 percent go on to college," Farris said. "That's just much higher than average."

On Friday, the community college celebrates these achievements by hosting National TRIO Day on the Kalispell campus.

The schedule of events:

-12:15 p.m. Karla West, jazz musician and singer, entertains.

-12:30 p.m. Kalispell Mayor Pamela Kennedy presents a proclamation.

-12:45 p.m. Farris speaks about the effect and scope of TRIO programs here and presents an appreciation award to a Flathead Valley Community College staff member.

-1 p.m. Bud Sather, chairman of FVCC TRIO Day, presents an award of appreciation to a TRIO staff member.

-1:15 p.m. Refreshments are served as students are encouraged to contact their federal representatives about the value of TRIO programs.

Call Charlene Herron at 756-3886.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.