WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has announced a significant redirection of funds, allocating $495 million to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges. This decision follows the administration’s controversial move to cut $350 million from discretionary funds for minority-serving institutions, citing claims of “racially discriminatory” programs.
The U.S. Education Department’s recent decision impacts funding for key initiatives supporting Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian students, as well as minority students in science and engineering fields. The agency’s stance is that these programs unfairly benefit institutions based on racial or ethnic criteria, as stated in a press release.
Charter Schools and Civics Education
In addition, the department is redirecting $60 million to charter schools, bringing their total funding to $500 million. Charter schools, part of the broader “school choice” initiative, provide alternatives to traditional public schools. The department also announced an increase of $137 million for American history and civics grants, totaling over $160 million.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized the department’s commitment to funding programs that “promote merit and excellence in education,” ensuring taxpayer money supports equitable educational opportunities. No specifics were provided regarding which programs or institutions would receive additional funding.
HBCU ‘Godsend’
Lodriguez V. Murray of UNCF, which advocates for HBCUs, described the funding as a “godsend,” highlighting the chronic underfunding of these institutions. While expressing gratitude for the collaboration with the administration, Murray acknowledged ongoing resource challenges. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that there are currently 99 HBCUs across 19 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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