The grants were announced jointly by U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor along with U.S. Representatives Marion Berry (AR-01), Vic Snyder (AR-02), John Boozman (AR-03), and Mike Ross (AR-04).

The U.S. Department of Education will award the grants for five years through the TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers Program.

The goal of the TRIO Educational Opportunity Center Program is to provide information with respect to financial and academic assistance available for individuals who desire to pursue a program of postsecondary education. It provides assistance to those individuals in applying for admission to institutions that offer programs of postsecondary education, including assistance in preparing necessary applications for use by admission and financial aid officers.

The announcement comes one week after Arkansas universities and colleges received more than $3.6 million in TRIO funding the Arkansas Congressional Delegation had secured.

"We must continue to fund programs that promote education and help level the playing field for students who start with fewer advantages," Lincoln said. "The TRIO  program has proven to be successful in helping students reach their full academic potential, and I have full faith that these institutions will continue to use this funding in a way that ensures the success of this critical program."

"The TRIO program helps young adults see higher education as an option by providing much-needed assistance on financial aid and admission procedures," Pryor said. "This investment will go a long way to help countless Arkansas students achieve a brighter future."

“I am pleased to see so many schools in Arkansas benefiting from the TRIO program," Berry said. "This funding will improve the quality of academic programs across our state and help many students achieve the dream of higher education. I commend all of these institutions for their commitment to higher education and look forward to working with them in the future to establish new opportunities for academic excellence."

"TRIO programs motivate students and provide the means and support necessary for them to seek higher education," Snyder said.  "TRIO funds help open doors for those who otherwise might not have access to the many great higher educational opportunities available in Arkansas."

“The TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers are an important tool to provide access to higher education for young people in Arkansas,” Boozman said.  “I fully support these programs and am pleased that the Department of Education continues to recognize their value to our state.”

“I am proud so many students in the Fourth Congressional District will have the opportunity to benefit from this program,” Ross said. “I believe investing in programs like TRIO is important as we work to provide every opportunity we can for America’s students to receive a world class education. These funds will continue to ensure we have an educated work force which is a great investment in the future of Arkansas.”

The following schools in Arkansas received TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers Program grants:

First Congressional District

Arkansas Northeastern College (Blytheville) $319,015

Mid-South Community College (West Memphis) $220,000

Second Congressional District

University of Arkansas-Little Rock (Little Rock) $255,385

Third Congressional District

North Arkansas College (Harrison) $255,385 

Fourth Congressional District

Henderson State University (Arkadelphia) $220,000

Rich Mountain Community College (Mena) $396,655