Arizona governor calls for resuming federal funding of HSI grant programs

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has sent a letter to Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon on the cancellation of $350 million in funding to Minority-Serving Institutions and Hispanic-Serving institutions, expressing concern at the effect it will have on the 21 HSIs in the state.

The state will face a shortfall of more than $18 million for education because of the cuts and will negatively affect access, retention, persistence and graduation rates for students attending these colleges and universities. Governor Hobbs stated, "These funds are important to our institutions because they provide support services to our students, including tutoring, career readiness programs, internships, professional development for faculty and staff, financial literacy training, development of career pathways, and more."

Governor Hobbs also noted that though Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities would see increases in funding, it came at the expense of HSIs and "undermines longstanding congressional intent to ensure equity across all Minority-Serving Institutions."

To read Governor Hobbs' letter, click here.