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Jimmy Williams
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a historic milestone in Federal funding and investments in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), surpassing $16 billion from Fiscal Years (FY) 2021 through the current data for FY 2024. This total, a significant increase from the previously announced $7 billion, encompasses substantial new actions already undertaken.
Breakdown of Funding:
FY2021 – FY2023:
– $11.4 billion in Federal grants, contracting awards, and debt relief for HBCUs.
– $4 billion in federal financial aid and educational benefits for veterans to HBCU-enrolled students.
– FY2024:
– Over $900 million secured for Department of Education programs strengthening HBCUs as institutions.
This unprecedented funding underscores the Administration’s commitment to HBCUs, which play a critical role in promoting upward economic mobility and providing high-quality postsecondary education.
Impact of HBCUs:
For over 180 years, HBCUs have been pivotal in advancing economic mobility for Black families and communities, contributing significantly to the nation’s prosperity and equity. Despite constituting only 3% of colleges and universities, HBCUs produce a substantial percentage of Black professionals, including:
– 40% of Black engineers
– 50% of Black teachers
– 70% of Black doctors and dentists
– 80% of Black judges
Additionally, HBCUs have a significant impact on college access for Pell Grant-eligible (low-income) students, supporting nearly five times more students in achieving social mobility compared to Ivy League and other top-ranked institutions.
New Federal Investments and Initiatives:
– American Rescue Plan and COVID relief: Nearly $4 billion to support student needs, campus operations, and equitable recovery.
– Department of Education: $2.6 billion to build institutional capacity, enhancing research infrastructure and securing partnership opportunities.
– Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements: Over $1.6 billion to advance academic and training programs in critical national areas like medicine, climate science, and technology.
– Research Capacity: Almost $950 million to grow research capacity and infrastructure.
– STEM Academic Capacity: Nearly $719 million to expand STEM and other high-demand fields.
– Federal Contracting Opportunities: Over $150 million awarded for research and STEM education program expansion.
– Capital Finance Debt Relief: $1.6 billion in debt relief for 45 HBCUs, enabling resource reallocation to student and faculty support.
– Project SERV Funds: Over $2.4 million to support HBCUs affected by bomb threats in 2022, aiding in mental health and safe learning environment restoration.
Support for HBCU Students:
– Need-Based Grants and Federal Programs: $2.8 billion to assist students in affording education.
– Veterans Support: Nearly $1.3 billion for veterans attending HBCUs through the GI Bill and other educational programs.
Recent Developments and Programs:
– University Affiliated Research Center (UARC): Led by Howard University, funded at $90 million over five years.
– Connecting-Minority-Communities Program: Funding for 43 HBCUs to tackle the digital divide.
– Agricultural Training Programs: $262.5 million investment to support diverse agricultural professionals.
– Clean Energy Education Prize: $7.75 million competition to strengthen STEM participation.
– Research and Development Infrastructure: Nearly $25 million to transform research infrastructure.
– Transportation Research: Prairie View A&M University leading a University Transportation Center.
– STEM Opportunity Gaps: Nearly $12 million to support artificial intelligence and machine learning programs at HBCUs.
The Administration’s efforts include reestablishing the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through HBCUs. This comprehensive approach has delivered significant results, highlighting the Administration’s commitment to fostering equity and opportunity in education.
The Biden-Harris Administration continues to prioritize HBCUs, aiming to sustain this momentum and ensure these institutions remain pivotal in advancing economic mobility and educational excellence for African Americans and the broader community.
