Erna Numanovic, 25, of Burlington found a way to attend college, thanks to the federal TRIO program, Upward Bound.  This invaluable program prepared her for entrance exams and helped her identify and apply for essential scholarships. She graduated debt free.  Today, federally-funded programs like Upward Bound are under attack by some in Congress who want to balance the budget solely on the backs of the poor, the sick, the elderly and students. 

Erna's family moved to Vermont from Bosnia when she was 11 years old. She attended Upward Bound at Lyndon State College in the summer while in high school.  The program worked.  She graduated from St. Michael's College in 2007 with a major in business administration. 

"If it wasn't for that program, I definitely wouldn't be where I am right now," she said. Erna's parents always hoped she would attend college-something they never did-but didn't know how to make it happen.

Federal TRIO programs, which help low-income and working-class students achieve a bachelor's degree, have suffered devastating cuts in funding.  In this year's budget, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) supported a $26.6 million funding decrease to TRIO.  The funding decreases to TRIO will undermine the educational goals of 80,000 low-income students throughout the country. In Vermont, alone, the cuts could eliminate funding for 350 students. 

Erna Numanovic has been following the debate in Washington and knows budgets have been sliced on programs that helped her obtain her college degree. "It's terrible. I just wish that there was more that we can do," she said. "I hope they understand there are real lives being affected by it."

Pell grants, which help working families cover the escalating cost of college, have been repeatedly at risk during congressional budget cutting.  Sen. Bernie Sanders helped lead the fight to protect Pell grants.  The fight is not over.  New attacks have been launched by congressional opponents, including Senate Republican Leader McConnell and Rep. Ryan (R-Wis.), to reduce the maximum award amount-which is now $5,550-to just $2,100.  

Sanders is working hard to ensure these programs are protected so families have a chance to send their kids to college or prevent them from having to drop out.  "It's outrageous that some in Congress want to protect tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires, but take away the chance for kids to go to college," the senator said. 

Federal assistance is crucial for students trying to obtain a college degree. The average student debt load for a member of the Class of 2009 is $24,000, according to a new report from the Project on Student Debt, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making college more affordable.

Erna, who now works for a software company in Essex Junction, wants Congress to help more students find a way to go to college.  She has been doing her part by helping with Upward Bound. "You tell the kids, ‘There is a future and there is hope,'" she said. "The program really opens everyone's eyes.  You can go to college and you can get a degree." 

Erna's younger sister also participated in Upward Bound and is now attending college.