May 28, 2020
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has issued a statement on President Biden’s FY 2022 Budget Proposal.
HACU applauds the Biden Administration’s FY 2022 budget recommendations that include funding increases in the U.S. Department of Education for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).
The President’s FY 2022 budget request includes the following:
The President’s budget also provides a down payment to double the Pell Grant by $3 billion to increase the maximum Pell Grant by $400. This increase is in addition to the $1,475 Pell Grant increase in the American Families Plan. The requests would ensure students who are DACA recipients are eligible for Pell Grants if they meet the standard requirements for that aid.
“HACU applauds the President’s budget enhancements for Hispanic-Serving Institutions, which remain severely underfunded,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “HACU will continue to advocate with Congress for equitable funding for these and other critical HSI programs as HSIs have continued to grow from 311 in 2010 to 569 in 2019.”
The President’s budget would also provide two years of subsidized tuition for students from families earning less than $125,000 enrolled at 4-year HSIs or other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). The FY 22 request also includes increases in institutional capacity and student support at HSIs and other MSIs, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities.
“Federal funding for HSIs continues to lag behind in the higher education community. As we continue to rebuild our economy post-COVID-19, it is critical to increase HSI funding to meet America’s workforce development needs in the 21st Century,” added Flores.
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