September 23, 2025
Education Department cancels at least one GEAR UP award; budget proposal seeks to end GEAR UP and TRIO
47,000 low-income students lose college prep support after grant terminations
🏛️Government🎓Education
The Department publicly included ending GEAR UP and TRIO in the FY2026 budget proposal, quantified by the department and media as about $1.6 billion in reductions.
On Sept. 12, 2025 the Department cancelled a $34.9 million GEAR UP award to Purdue University after flagging DEI and culturally responsive teaching language in the application.
Public reporting shows targeted cancellations and funding shifts tied to objections over DEI or eligibility rules. There is not a verified, public list showing nine GEAR UP award terminations or the exact dollar totals claimed in the original text.
Estimates of students affected in the tens of thousands were not independently verified in the sources available. Some cohorts saw immediate disruption; the scope differs by award.
🏛️Government🎓Education
Test Your Knowledge
10
Q1
Fill the blank: DOE's FY2026 'skinny' budget is a presidential ______, not a law.
Q2
Which trend best describes proposed funding changes for GEAR UP?
Q3
Fill: GEAR UP provides multi-year cohort grants for low-income students to support college _____ and readiness.
Q4
Complete the analysis of how federal DEI restrictions targeted educational equity programs.
Q5
The FY2026 'skinny' budget had legal force to eliminate GEAR UP immediately.
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Start QuizPeople, bills, and sources
Linda McMahon
U.S. Secretary of Education
Purdue University
GEAR UP grantee/contract recipient
GEAR UP
Federal college-access grant program