The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has released its 2025 Legislative Agenda for the 119th Congress to address higher education needs relevant to Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Emerging HSIs, as well as PK-12 support, funding and pipeline issues into higher education.
The number of HSIs grew to 615 in the 2023–24 academic year, a 2.5% increase from the previous year. This growth highlights the expanding role of HSIs in advancing educational opportunities for all students across the U.S. The highest concentrations of HSIs are found in California (171), Texas (112), Puerto Rico (56), Illinois (39), and New York (39).
HACU calls for equitable funding to HSIs and meet the growing demands of over 5.6 million students, including 3.7 million Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students.
The Legislative Agenda champions fair and essential federal investments in HSIs, with key priorities including:
- Increased funding for Title V Parts A and B.
- Inclusion of Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities in the reauthorized Farm Bill.
- Passage of the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025.
- Doubling Pell Grant awards and expanding access to DACA- and TPS-eligible students.
- Creation of a capital financing program for HSI infrastructure.
- Enactment of the HERE Act.
HACU presented its Legislative Agenda at the Capitol Forum on Higher Education being held in Washington, D.C., April 29-30, 2025. Click here to download HACU’s Legislative Agenda
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