Colleges and universities across the United States are cutting back services for migrant students after the Trump administration halted funding for programs designed to help them enter and succeed in higher education. The decision has forced layoffs and the closure of support programs at institutions that have long relied on federal support.
The College Assistance Migrant Program, known as CAMP, has supported about 2,400 students every year since 1972. The program focuses on first-year students but continues to help them through college with tutoring, financial aid, internship support, and mental health counseling. It has been especially important for students from agricultural and migrant farmworker families.
In June, the U.S. Department of Education informed schools that they would no longer receive CAMP funding, which amounted to about $2.4 million over five years. The administration argued in its 2026 proposed budget that migrant education programs were “extremely costly” and “not proven effective.” Many colleges in the middle of their five-year funding cycle were shocked to see the money cut so abruptly.
At Millersville University in Pennsylvania, four CAMP staff members lost their jobs this summer. The 21 students currently enrolled remain on campus, but all the support they had through CAMP has been canceled. Lara Willox, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, said the university cannot continue the program without federal support.
The cuts have also impacted the High School Equivalency Program, or HEP, which is often tied to CAMP. In August, a coalition of colleges and nonprofits filed a lawsuit against the administration, arguing that since Congress approved the funds, they should still be released. National HEPCAMP Association president-elect Katie Covington warned that nearly 7,000 students could lose support this year alone.
Lawmakers have also voiced concern. 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 department to restore funds for migrant student programs in the 2025 fiscal year. They stressed that the money is critical for farmworker families whose children face barriers in accessing higher education.
Data suggests that CAMP has produced strong results. According to HEPCAMP, 76% of participants complete their first year of college, and 96% continue into their second year. A 2024 Education Department report showed CAMP students had higher retention rates than the national average, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many colleges, including Michigan State University and California State University San Marcos, have reported success stories and high graduation rates linked to the program.
Without federal funding, schools are trying to find alternatives. Michigan State is raising money to keep students enrolled this fall, while California State University San Marcos has ended financial aid for books and classroom essentials. Staff are now referring students to other campus offices for mentorship and counseling, though many worry the loss of CAMP will reduce opportunities for first-generation migrant students.
For former students like Sofia Mireles-Gonzalez, a graduate of Michigan State, the program was life-changing. Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, she faced the challenges of being a first-generation college student far from home. CAMP gave her support, connections, and confidence. Now she hopes the program can survive so others can have the same opportunity.