The new budget deal passed by Congress and signed by President Obama includes increased federal appropriations for the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities. The new deal includes an additional $22 million for the Title III, Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities program of the U.S. Department of Education. This is the largest increase in the program’s budget in the past six years. Under the new budget agreement, the total program funding for fiscal year 2016 will be $387 million.
Michael L. Lomax, president of the United Negro College Fund, which represents 37 private HBCUs, 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.”
Thank you President Obama!