Press release from the office of Congresswoman Lori Trahan
Washington, D.C. (September 2, 2026) — Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced $2,023,573 in new federal funding for three community colleges across the Third District. The money comes from three U.S. Department of Education programs that help first-generation, low-income, and nontraditional students get to college, stay enrolled, and graduate.
“For so many students, community college is where a bigger future begins. It’s the first person in a family to earn a degree, the parent going back to school, the worker learning a new trade. This funding helps more of them finish what they started,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I’ll always fight for federal investments in our schools and community colleges, because every degree earned here changes a family’s story for good.”
The institutions receiving federal funding include:
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Mount Wachusett Community College: $1,158,572
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Northern Essex Community College: $453,065
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Middlesex Community College: $411,936
NECC was awarded $453,065 through the Student Support Services Program, which will provide additional funding for the PACE program. PACE helps students develop the skills necessary to complete their degrees, succeed in the workforce, or transfer to a four-year institution to complete their bachelor’s degree. Founded in 1980, NECC’s PACE program serves more than 250 students annually.
“NECC’s PACE program has supported thousands of Merrimack Valley students over the past 40 years,” said Northern Essex Community College President Lane Glenn. “We know funding like this can’t always be guaranteed, and so are grateful for Congresswoman Trahan’s advocacy for our region’s students.”
Since taking office in 2019, Trahan has been a fierce advocate for community colleges, vocational schools, and workforce development in the region. As the only Massachusetts member of Congress serving on the House Education and Labor Committee during the 116th Congress, she helped craft the College Affordability Act to crack down on predatory for-profit colleges and ensure students can spend less while earning a meaningful degree. In December 2025, the House Education and the Workforce Committee passed Trahan’s bipartisan Student Financial Clarity Act to help students and parents seeking higher education understand the true cost of their degree program.
