Alexander Statement on HBCU Funding

U.S. Senate education committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement regarding funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions:

“Two weeks ago, Senate Democrats blocked my bipartisan package of higher education proposals that included $255 million in permanent annual funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. This package has plenty of time to become law because the U.S. Department of Education has notified these institutions that they have sufficient federal funding until October 1 of next year.

“The House proposal is based on a budget gimmick, which would make it difficult to pass the Senate and would create a new funding cliff for these colleges within a matter of months. My bipartisan package that Senate Democrats blocked also includes simplifying the FAFSA federal aid application that 8 million minority students fill out each year and Pell grants for short-term programs.”

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