Legislative Agenda for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)

Our nation’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are essential to our future success, but funding and support for their students and programs still fall short. The success of this growing segment of higher education depends on vital federal funding, which has yet to achieve equity compared to peer institutions. HSIs prepare future scientists, teachers, artists, and professionals to meet today's and tomorrow's challenges.

Underrepresented communities and the HSIs that serve them are still reeling from the pandemic, which highlighted decades of federal underfunding. Additionally, climate change and global political turmoil demand a highly educated and diverse workforce. To innovate and thrive, HSIs need much greater and strategic investments to ensure their success and long-term sustainability.

As the backbone of Hispanic higher education, HSIs also serve African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and other underserved populations, reflecting America’s diversity and forming the foundation of its 21st-century workforce.

HSIs need increased access to affordable capital to finance their neglected infrastructure, enabling education in modern facilities equipped with the latest learning tools and technology, especially in STEM fields. Our HSI students, most of whom are low-income and first-generation, need equitable and adequate financial aid.

As part of HACU’s Legislative Agenda, we advocate for:

  •        Equitable funding for HSIs

  •        Increasing authorization levels for Title V Part A and B

  •        Reauthorization of the Farm Bill with increased funding and inclusion of select HSIs in the Land Grant community

  •        Immigration reform, particularly the passage of the DREAM Act

  •        Enhancing the Pell Grant by doubling the award amount and extending eligibility for DACA and TPS students

  •        Establishing a capital financing program for HSI infrastructure

  •        Passage of the HERE Act

Addressing the inequities HSIs face is a national imperative to meet the needs of their fast-growing student population of over five million. Equitable federal funding is essential to prepare the next generation of leaders.


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

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