EOU Wins $1.09 Million Federal TRIO Grant to Boost Student Support

Eastern Oregon University has been awarded a $1.09 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand its TRIO Student Support Services, a five-year investment aimed at helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds persist in college and graduate on time. The award, announced January 14, 2026, will bolster tutoring, academic advising, mentoring and financial education at EOU’s La Grande campus and outreach sites serving Union County.

TRIO Student Support Services is part of the federal TRIO suite of programs that primarily serve first-generation college students, students from low-income families, and students with disabilities. Over five years the grant averages roughly $218,000 per year, money EOU plans to use to scale proven supports for students who face barriers to earning a degree. University leaders said the funding will strengthen pathways for rural students who historically enroll and complete at lower rates without targeted assistance.

“The TRIO Student Support Services grant is a major step forward for Eastern Oregon University and the students we serve,” said Kelly Ryan, Ph.D., president of EOU. “Many students—especially those from rural communities—are less likely to attend and complete college without targeted support. These resources strengthen our mission to create clear pathways for all students to achieve a university education.” Bennie Moses-Mesubed, associate vice president for strategic equity services, added, “With this funding, we can expand proven strategies and support more students at EOU.”

For Union County, this federal infusion has both social and economic implications. Expanding retention and on-time graduation improves the local talent pipeline, increases lifetime earnings for graduates and can help address workforce shortages in health care, education and public administration common in rural Oregon. Investments in advising and financial education also reduce student debt risk and improve completion rates, outcomes that translate into steadier consumer spending and a broader tax base over time.

The grant fits into broader federal policy priorities to narrow educational inequality and support rural higher education access. For EOU, the funding will be measured by outcomes such as persistence and graduation rates, and by whether more first-generation and low-income students receive sustained support across their degree programs.

Students who believe they may qualify for TRIO Student Support Services are encouraged to apply. To learn more or submit an application, visit eou.edu/trio or email trio@eou.edu.

For local families and employers, the grant signals a tangible effort to keep more Union County students on track to finish college and enter the regional workforce. The next steps will be scaling services, tracking outcomes, and connecting graduates to local job opportunities as EOU implements the five-year program.