Citing
the need for a dramatic funding increase, the House of Representatives has
approved a plan to raise Black college funding by $125 million next year – 40
percent more than the current budget.
The chamber approved the plan as an
amendment to the Education Department’s 2008 funding bill that members have
been debating on the House floor much of this week. Of the new funding, $100
million would be divided among eligible HBCUs and $25 million would go to HBCU
graduate institutions.
As originally written, the 2008 education
bill had a 4 percent increase for HBCUs and graduate institutions. “That is not
enough,” said Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn. “They need help, they need help now, and
they need large amounts of help.”
The original plan earmarked $307 million
for HBCUs and graduate programs. If enacted into law, the amendment would
increase that amount to $432 million.
HBCUs have received only nominal
increases in recent years, said Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn. “We need to fund
these schools at a higher level,” he said. “The need has become greater and
greater. These are students who need educational opportunities to move out and
into the American dream.”
“There is still a critical need in this
country for historically Black colleges and universities,” Cohen added.
