Several universities have been compelled to reduce staff and scale back essential services following the Trump administration’s decision to discontinue funding for initiatives that assist students from migrant backgrounds in pursuing higher education.
Established in 1972, the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) annually supports approximately 2,400 students across various colleges and universities. The program primarily targets freshmen, offering continuous assistance throughout their academic journey, including access to internships, mental health services, tutoring, and financial aid.
In June, the U.S. Department of Education informed institutions that funding for CAMP-amounting to roughly $2.4 million over five years-would be suspended starting this fall. This move aligns with the Trump administration’s critique of migrant education programs, labeling them as “excessively expensive” and lacking proven effectiveness in its 2026 budget proposal.
Because schools typically receive CAMP funding in five-year increments, many institutions currently mid-cycle were caught off guard by the sudden funding freeze.
For instance, Millersville University in Pennsylvania had to lay off four staff members responsible for managing the program and advising students. Although the 21 enrolled students remain on campus, the support services provided by CAMP have been discontinued.
“Without the allocated funds, we are unable to continue this year’s program,” explained Lara Willox, dean of Millersville’s College of Education and Human Services.
At Millersville and other campuses, CAMP is often integrated with the High School Equivalency Program (HEP), which assists migrant students in obtaining their GEDs.
In response to the funding cut, a coalition of colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations involved in CAMP filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in August, arguing that since Congress had appropriated the funds, they should be reinstated.
Katie Covington, president-elect of the National HEPCAMP Association, emphasized the impact: “The shutdown of these programs at trade schools, community colleges, and four-year institutions will leave nearly 7,000 students nationwide without vital support this year.”
Typically, the Department of Education opens applications for CAMP funding during the fall semester. However, this year, no announcements have been made regarding the next funding cycle or whether support will resume.
Repeated requests for comment from Education Department officials went unanswered.
On September 10, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators sent a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon and the Office of Management and Budget, urging the release of funds designated for migrant student programs in Fiscal Year 2025.
“These funds are crucial to maintaining educational opportunities for agricultural farmworker students,” the letter stated.
According to the National Center for Farmworker Health, approximately 2.9 million individuals were engaged in seasonal or migratory farm labor in 2022. The frequent relocations associated with this work often complicate the transition to college for their children.
Since its founding, CAMP has supported tens of thousands of migrant students, including Michigan State University graduate Sofia Mireles-Gonzalez.
“Starting college involves navigating many new experiences,” Mireles-Gonzalez shared. Growing up in Texas’s Rio Grande Valley as a first-generation college student, she faced numerous obstacles.
The CAMP program provided her with essential resources and connections at a large university far from home, enabling her to thrive academically and personally.
Facing an uncertain path forward
Michigan State, which has assisted over 1,000 CAMP students since 2000, is currently fundraising approximately $5,000 to offer temporary financial aid this academic year.
Across the nation, the abrupt funding suspension has forced many institutions to dismiss staff and prepare for program closures, according to Covington.
Willox expressed hope that the funding interruption would be brief: “We initially believed this was a temporary pause and expected the funds to be released so we could continue.”
As the university enters the fifth year of its funding cycle, it is striving to sustain the program through the fall semester without federal support.
“The full extent of this disruption will become clearer as the year progresses,” Willox noted. With staff layoffs, the university plans to rely on upperclassmen to mentor and tutor incoming students.
Data from the National HEPCAMP Association demonstrates the program’s effectiveness, with 76% of participants completing their freshman year and 96% advancing to their sophomore year.
A 2024 Education Department report to Congress highlighted in the senators’ letter revealed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, CAMP programs retained first-year students at rates exceeding the national average-81% retention at four-year institutions in 2021 and 2022.
“These outcomes contribute to strengthening the economic prospects of farmworker families and rural communities,” the letter emphasized.
California State University San Marcos, located south of Los Angeles, has reported similar achievements.
“Our annual reports consistently demonstrate the success of our CAMP program,” said Maria Venegas Escobedo, director of CAMP initiatives at the university.
The program enrolls about 40 students each year, with data showing that over the past decade, roughly 90% completed their first year and 97% of sophomores returned for their junior year.
“These figures reflect the quality of our support and the dedication we provide to our students,” Venegas Escobedo added.
Due to the federal funding cut, the university has discontinued financial assistance for CAMP students, including aid for textbooks, technology, and other academic necessities. Venegas Escobedo is actively seeking alternative resources to maintain mentorship and counseling services.
“We remain available to assist students, but they have been redirected to another campus office that offers academic coaching and support,” she explained.
Reflecting on her own experience, Mireles-Gonzalez expressed hope for the program’s survival: “As the first in my family to attend college, I want others to have the same opportunity.”
