Sen. Ossoff, Colleagues Demand Department of Education Reverse Decision to Cut Federal Funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is pressing the Trump Administration to reverse its funding cuts for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) in Georgia.

This week, Sen. Ossoff and colleagues launched an inquiry with Education Secretary Linda McMahon demanding the Department of Education reverse its decision to cut Federal funding for Minority-Serving Institutions, including Georgia's Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

Last September, the Department announced it was cancelling $350 million in grant programs for HSIs.

"This decision is yet another example of this Administration attempting to circumvent Congress and its obligations to follow the law," Sen. Ossoff and colleagues wrote to Secretary McMahon. "Unilaterally deciding that long-standing programs are unconstitutional, absent a ruling from the judiciary, sets a dangerous precedent and disrupts needed support that colleges and students rely on."

"We urge you to allocate Title III and V discretionary and mandatory funds as Congress intended so that these institutions, which educate millions of working-class Americans, can continue to successfully serve every student they enroll and continue to be economic engines for the communities they serve across this nation," Sen. Ossoff and colleagues continued.

Sen. Ossoff continues working to support Georgia's Hispanic community.

In July 2025, during an Appropriations Committee hearing, Sen. Ossoff criticized the Trump Administration'scancellation of a National Institute of Health grant granted to the University of Georgia to develop new tools aimed at improving the Hispanic community's access to information about diabetes.

In February 2023, Sen. Ossoff delivered more than $370,000 in Federal funding for Dalton State's School of Health Professions' simulation technology upgrades, expansion and enhancements.

In January 2023, Sen. Ossoff delivered nearly $500k in Federal funding to Ser Familia for local Latino families in Clayton County.

In May 2022, Sen. Ossoff Sen. Ossoff secured a commitment from U.S. Department of Agriculture's Under Secretary for Rural Development, Xochitl Torres Small, to help Georgians experiencing language barriers navigate the housing market and system, improving their access to affordable housing.

In May 2021, Sen. Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock announced the allocation of over $1.1 billion in funding they have secured through the American Rescue Plan for higher education institutions in Georgia, with Dalton State College receiving roughly $16 million and Georgia Gwinnett College receiving roughly $42 million.

Click here to read the inquiry.

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