November, 17 2022

Call for action for funding for HSIs in the FY23 appropriations package

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has issued a call for action for additional federal funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions to address the ongoing challenges that students and institutions are currently experiencing.

 

HACU urges the leadership of the Senate appropriations committee of the U.S. Congress to support additional funding for HSIs by adopting the FY 2023 funding levels as put forth by the House. 

 

Though federal funding for HSIs has been constant, it is not proportionate to the growth of HSIs and the needs at these institutions. The number of HSIs grew from 311 in 2010 to 559 in 2020. There’s also over 300 emerging HSIs that will soon meet the requirements of a federally designated HSI.

 

HSIs comprise 17% of colleges and universities nationally yet educate more than two-thirds of the estimated 3.8 million Hispanic college students and 33% of all Pell recipients in the country. These are some of the most financially needy students in the U.S. HSIs also enroll 41.3% of Asian, 35.6% of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 26.2% of multi-racial, 24.2% of Black, and 15% of White students. HSIs represent the fabric of a multi-culture society that enriches our country.

 

In a letter sent to the committee, HACU requested a total of $356 million for the following HSIs programs:

 

  • Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (Title V, Part A): $246.73 million 
  • Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (Title V, Part B): $28.85 million 
  • National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) HSIs Education Grants Program: $20 million 
  • Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI Program): $60 million 

Additionally, HACU requests $20 million to establish a pilot program at the U.S. Department of Education built on the Hispanic Educational Resources and Empowerment (HERE) Act. 

 

HACU members and supporters: take action now and call on your members Congress to fund HSIs in the FY23 appropriations package. Click here to contact your Senator.

 

About HACU

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, D.C, Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain, and school districts throughout the U.S. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The Association’s headquarters are in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, California.