HACU Statement on critical funding for HSIs

SAN ANTONIO - The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Education's reallocation of Minority-Serving Institution funding for other priorities.

"The grant funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) is critical for support and continued success of 615 HSIs across the nation that educate over 5.6 million college students," said David Mendez, HACU Interim Chief Executive Officer. "We urge the U.S. Department of Education to reconsider their decision to eliminate these vital resources that benefit all students who attend these often under-resourced institutions that prepare a high percentage of first-generation college and financially challenged students. We also urge our partners at HBCUs and TCUs to stand in solidarity with the broader MSI community in opposing and reversing the Department of Education's recent decision to eliminate dedicated MSI funding. We would welcome the opportunity to work with the office of the Secretary to this end. These funds are a vital investment in the institutions that train the future workforce of our country. The efficacy of the education and success of these students depend on this funding to ensure our nation's future prosperity. The loss of this funding will disproportionately harm HSIs, PBIs and ANNAPISIs, and impact the market competitiveness of our students and the country as a whole."

HACU's efforts for over two decades to advocate and encourage increased funding for HSIs has always been with the understanding that these institutions have educated a broad student population that is representative of our nation. The loss of this funding means that large numbers of MSI students and their institutions will suffer from this redirection of critical funding and support.

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HACU contact, D.C. Government Relations at [email protected].