FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
August 2, 2022

HACU Statement on Fiscal Year 2023 Senate Appropriations Bills

SAN ANTONIO – The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has issued a statement on the Senate’s FY 2023 Appropriations Bills urging increased funding support on the proposed FY 2023 funding levels for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). 

HACU applauds the Senate’s fiscal year 2023 appropriations package, which includes funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). However, the Senate’s proposed funding does not address the decades of inequity that HSIs have historically endured. 

“HACU calls upon the Senate to follow the House and ensure that Hispanic-Serving Institutions receive the funding they desperately need,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “HSIs continue to be severely underfunded and equitable funding for critical programs is greatly needed as the number of HSIs have continued to grow from 311 in 2010 to 559 in 2020.”

The Senate’s FY 2023 appropriations package includes the following: 
• Title V, Part A: $236.7 million, which is $10 million less than the House appropriations package
• Title V, Part B: $28.8 million
• USDA-Education Grants for HSIs: $15 million, which is $5 million less than the House-passed package
• NSF-HSI Program: $55 million, which is $5 million less than the House appropriations package

The Senate’s appropriations package also increases the maximum Pell Grant by $500.  

“Federal funding has yet to address the funding inequity that Hispanic-Serving Institutions have endured for decades. As we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical to increase funding for HSIs as they continue to educate America’s future workforce,” added Flores.

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 in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Washington, D.C and Sacramento, California. 

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