FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 15, 2021

SAN ANTONIO – The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has issued the following statement in response to the Legislature’s California Budget Act of 2021-2022:

“The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities applauds the Legislature’s commitment to higher education by restoring the budget cuts made in the 2020-2021 and addressing the student educational achievement gap, said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “Eliminating the age and time out of high school requirements for the Cal Grant and investing in Student Academic Preparation and Educational Partnerships programs such as Puente and MESA will help more college students succeed. HACU is also pleased to see in support of undocumented students and increased accessibility to mental health services for college students.”

The historic investments made in this year’s budget are commendable; however, HACU looks forward to working with the Administration and Legislature in the final version of the budget to ensure the establishment of regional collaborations between different segments of educational systems that would uplift the most diverse and underserved areas in California. HACU will continue to work with the Administration and Legislature to equitably recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, increase access to financial aid and offer ethnic studies in our schools.

Additionally, HACU applauds the requirement to have all high school seniors complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or California Dream Act Application, the creation of Universal Transitional Kindergarten, investments made in Local Educational Agencies to improve A-G completion rates and addressing the digital divide by financing broadband infrastructure grant programs.

About HACU

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain and school districts throughout the U.S. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The Association’s headquarters are located in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Washington, D.C and Sacramento, California.

###

HACU Media Contact:
Norma Jean Revilla-Garcia
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities
210-576-3206
njgarcia@hacu.net

Christopher de Hoyos
Assistant Director of Communications and Social Media
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities
210-576-3242
chris.dehoyos@hacu.net