While federal lawmakers often face criticism for their failure to work together across party lines, they have drawn praise for introducing legislation that would extend funding for minority serving institutions under Title III and allocate about $100 million.
The bipartisan and bicameral Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education Act, or FUTURE Act, would continue mandatory funding to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic serving institutions (HSIs) and other MSIs beyond the 2019 fiscal year to fiscal year 2021. It is part of Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965, specifically the mandatory Part F Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority-Serving Institutions program that provides additional federal dollars to HBCUs with a priority on instructional programs in STEM and other high-demand fields.
Leaders of advocacy organizations that have made renewal of the funding during the current Congress a top priority issued statements praising the May 2 introduction of the legislation in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
“We greatly appreciate such strong support to ensure HBCUs and MSIs continue their viability,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund. “They are a needed, high-achieving component of our national higher education system.”
Dr. Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which represents the 47 publicly supported HBCUS and predominantly Black institutions (PBIs), called for quick passage of the bills and President Trump’s swift signature.
“One of our main legislative priorities for 2019 was finding a bipartisan funding solution preventing these mandatory Title III dollars from expiring in September,” said Williams. “We are grateful to our advocates in the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus for once-again stepping up and demonstrating their commitment to HBCUs and students.”
