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UNCF Applauds Congress for Significant Increase in Federal Funding for HBCUs

  • 12/18/15

WASHINGTON, DC – UNCF (United Negro College Fund), the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization, applauds the significant increase in federal support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) contained in the Fiscal Year 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The omnibus spending bill provides a $22 million increase for the Title III, Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), program administered by the U.S. Department of Education, providing the largest funding boost for the program in six years. As a result, total program funding will increase to $387 million in Fiscal Year 2016.

UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax stated, “An important strategy in closing the college attainment gap between minority and low-income students and their more advantaged peers is to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs, which are a ‘best buy’ in American higher education. This much needed federal investment in HBCUs recognizes that these institutions are an important part of our national commitment to ensure that every student has a shot at earning a college degree.” A recent Gallup-Purdue poll noted that black graduates of HBCUs are significantly more likely to feel supported while in college and thrive in the workplace after graduation than Black graduates from other institutions.

UNCF led the work of a coalition of HBCUs, other minority-serving institutions and community colleges, which urged Congressional leaders to invest in “the colleges and universities graduating disproportionate percentages of the growing populations of the nation.”

UNCF expresses its appreciation to Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Representative Tom Cole (R-OK) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), the Senate and House chairmen, and ranking members who led the negotiations on the education provisions in the omnibus spending bill. In addition, UNCF is grateful for the members of the Congressional Black Caucus who steadfastly worked to advance HBCU program priorities during the FY 2016 budget process.

The Title III HBCU program helps 37 UNCF-member institutions and other HBCUs to expand high-quality academic programs, invest in state-of-the-art technology, provide student supports, build endowments, and enhance fiscal and administrative operations.

About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students' education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in.” Learn more at www.uncf.org.

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