A federal judge ordered the Department of Education to reconsider decisions that canceled TRIO grants, ruling the agency did not adequately explain the actions or follow statutory and regulatory requirements. The ruling could lead to restoration of funding or new administrative procedures for affected grantees. TRIO programs support low‑income, first‑generation and disabled students through college access pipelines; legal experts said the court’s decision underscores statutory protections for grant recipients and tight procedural standards for cancellations. Colleges and program administrators are watching for the department’s next move: a careful administrative record or revised decisions will determine whether TRIO providers regain funding and how future grant cancellations will be justified.