WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is redirecting nearly $500 million in federal funding toward historically Black colleges (HBCUs) and tribal colleges, a one-time investment aimed at enhancing support for these institutions.
The Education Department announced this funding boost just days after reducing the budget for various grants by $350 million, particularly those benefiting colleges that primarily serve Hispanic students. Officials stated that these grant programs were unconstitutional due to their restrictive racial enrollment criteria.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon articulated that the shift in funding serves to redirect resources from what the department views as unsuccessful programs to those that foster successful education outcomes.
“The Department has carefully scrutinized our federal grants, ensuring that taxpayer funds are not supporting racially discriminatory programs but rather programs that enhance merit and excellence,” McMahon declared in an official release.
The funding adjustments also include approximately $60 million allocated for charter schools and $137 million dedicated to American history and civics education grants. In January, President Donald Trump had directed the agency to reallocate federal education funds towards charter schools and other initiatives promoting school choice.
This significant investment for HBCUs marks a 48% increase in their federal funding, and more than doubles the funding available to tribal colleges, a move that reflects the administration's commitment to bolster support for these institutions.
The reallocation is facilitated by a recent stopgap funding bill that grants the executive branch enhanced authority over federal spending decisions. Trump has long positioned himself as an advocate for HBCUs, previously persuading Congress to allocate $250 million annually for their support during his term.
Criticism quickly arose after the cuts to the Hispanic-Serving Institution program, which had been established in 1998 to address disparities in higher education access and attainment among Latino students. Many Democrats denounced these actions, arguing that they have historically received bipartisan backing and play a crucial role in enabling social mobility for underprivileged Americans.
In light of recent developments, advocacy groups and higher education stakeholders are monitoring the implications of these funding changes on the nation's educational landscape.
