Senator Tester takes lead to expand education opportunities across Montana

Senator to chair Congressional Caucus focused on helping students go to college

Senator Jon Tester is taking the lead of a bipartisan group tasked with helping more students get a college education.

Tester will serve as co-chair of the Congressional TRIO Caucus that oversees eight initiatives that provide support to help low-income, first-generation and disabled students, and veterans, achieve their educational potential.

The TRIO initiatives serve over 9,000 Montana students in 26 different areas across the state.

"Investing in our students is the best way to guarantee a bright future for our kids and grandkids," said Tester, a former teacher. "I look forward to bringing a rural perspective to the TRIO Caucus and ensuring that Montana students of all backgrounds have the resources they need to succeed in college."

Tester recently called on the Department of Education and the VA to improve their efforts to recruit veterans into Veterans Upward Bound, a TRIO initiative that offers veterans access to college and job training, as well as educational counseling and mentoring services.

Tester has also consistently supported strengthening student financial aid to help make college affordable for Montana students.