April 28, 2022
HACU releases 2022 Legislative Agenda
HACU released its 2022 Legislative Agenda for the 117th Congress to address Hispanic higher education needs as well as critical K-20 pipeline issues. The top priorities of the agenda were the focus of the 27th Annual National Capitol Forum on Hispanic Higher Education, a virtual gathering held April 5-6, 2022, that also included virtual congressional visits.
“Hispanic-Serving Institutions need increased access to affordable capital to ensure students are being educated in facilities equipped with the latest learning tools and technology to prepare them for the jobs of our new economy, particularly in the critical STEM fields,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “Low-income college students also need access to more substantial financial aid, not just loans, to help them pay for college.”
HACU’s top priorities are:
- Equitable funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions across all federal agencies.
- The passage of the Hispanic Education Resources and Empowerment Act (HERE) Act, introduced by Congressman Joaquin Castro and would support partnerships and collaboration between Minority-Serving Institutions and Hispanic-Serving School Districts.
- Increasing authorization levels for Title V Part A and Title V Part B
- Establishing a capital financing program to provide low to no interest financing for capital improvements to the infrastructure of the nation’s HSIs.
- Increasing the Pell grant by doubling the award amount and extending eligibility for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) eligible and Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
HACU will host its 28th Annual National Capitol Forum on Hispanic Higher Education on April 18-19, 2023, at the Hilton Washington D.C., Capitol Hill.