This week, the U.S. Department of Education announced $50 million in federal grants for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The funding, part of ongoing efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration, seeks to support colleges and universities that serve a large proportion of Hispanic students, bolstering their opportunities and helping to prepare them for the future through targeted educational programs.
“Our nation’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions open up new doors to opportunity and success for Hispanic and Latino students every day,” Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a press release. “The grants we’re announcing today double down on the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic investments in [HSIs] and reflect our determination to raise the bar for educational opportunity and equity in America.
The grants are distributed through several federal programs. First, the Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans program awarded over $11 million to 16 institutions to enhance graduate education for Hispanic students, particularly in STEM and teaching professions.
Additionally, the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions program will provide over $28 million to 49 colleges and universities. These funds aim to improve the educational outcomes of Hispanic students, helping to ensure their successful degree completion.
The Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program also granted over $9.5 million to 16 HSIs to increase the number of diverse educators in underserved schools, while the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program awarded $1 million to four institutions to enhance the participation of underrepresented minorities in STEM fields.
This latest round of grants builds on a broader push by the Biden Administration to strengthen HSIs. To date, the administration has invested more than $15 billion in these institutions. In July, President Biden also issued an executive order to further expand equity in economic and educational opportunities at HSIs.
