Member Advisory
March 27, 2013
Sequester impacts Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) programs; HSIs urged to join HACU April 16 on Capitol Hill visits
The U.S. Congress has finally approved appropriations for fiscal year (FY) 2013 through the passage of a continuing resolution (CR). H.R. 933, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act. H.R. 933 funds the government until September 30, 2013 and includes level funding for HSI programs. However, because Congress did not stop the sequester process from going into effect, all federal programs are subject to a 5% cut starting in FY 2013.
The Title V Part A program will be funded at around $95 million, $5 million less than in FY 2012. The Department of Education will focus on funding continuation grants but will not do a new Title V competition this year. The Title V Part B program (the graduate program) will receive a 5.1% cut to the $11.5 million in mandatory funding (reducing it to $10.9 million) and a 5% cut to the $9 million in discretionary funding (reducing it to $8.5 million). HSI grants in the Department of Agriculture program will also receive a 5% cut from $9.2 million to $8.7 million.
Since all federal programs are subject to the sequester cuts, HSIs should expect to see cuts to all federal education funding. The Pell Grant program and veterans’ education benefits are exempt from these cuts this year.
The full effects of sequestration will not be felt immediately because most education funding is forward-funded, since it becomes available at the beginning of the new award year that begins on July 1.
HACU encourages representatives and administrators of HSIs and emerging HSIs to become involved and speak out on preserving critical program funding.
HACU is planning visits to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, April 16, as part of the second day of the 18th National Capitol Forum. Please confirm your institution's participation online no later than April 9, so that HACU can secure your meeting.
- Register Online for the Capitol Forum - Select "yes" to participate in Capitol Hill visits - Enter the name of your representative if you know it
- All meetings will be scheduled by HACU
- Transportation to Capitol Hill will be provided