FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Contact: HACU News

San Antonio, Texas – The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities is providing all 2020 Presidential candidates with a copy of its Hispanic-Serving Institution Free College Proposal, a detailed plan to target HSIs as a national priority for a free college initiative. Two-thirds of the more than 3.6 million Hispanic college students today and a grand total of 4.5 million undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds are enrolled in 523 HSIs nationwide. These institutions are among the most under-resourced colleges and universities educating the most diverse and underserved student populations in the nation, and HACU’s proposal seeks to rectify the inequities facing these institutions in educating all of their students.

HSIs face persistent underfunding in receiving only 68 cents per student annually for every federal dollar received by non-HSIs, on average, from all federal sources. The proposal leverages existing funding sources (Pell Grant, FSEOG, Work Study, state aid, etc.) for Free College to underwrite any unmet student financial need, alongside a $450 allowance per free-college student enrolled provided directly to all HSIs public or private, helping to operate the program and to close the federal underfunding gap.

The Association believes this fair and workable solution would ensure that the youngest and fastest growing demographic in the U.S. is prepared to enter tomorrow’s workforce ready to compete in the global marketplace. For a copy of the letter click here. 

HACU, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain and school districts throughout the U.S. The mission of HACU is to Champion Hispanic Success in Higher Education. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The Association’s headquarters are located in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Sacramento, California and Washington, D.C. Information is available at www.hacu.net.