SEF Requests Increased Funding for HBCUs in Budget Reconciliation
October 15, 2021
The Southern Education Foundation (SEF) sent a letter to the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Chair of the House Committee on Education and Labor, and the Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations urging them to increase funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as negotiations continue in the budget reconciliation process. The letter urges Congress to allocate at least $3.9 billion for improving the research and development infrastructure for HBCUs, Historically Black Graduate Institutions (HBGIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).
Highlighting the important mission and unique circumstances of HBCUs, as well as the historic discrimination that they have experienced, SEF further requested that $1.9 billion be specifically reserved for HBCUs, so that they are not forced to compete against other better-resourced institutions, and are ensured the funds they need. This would help to mitigate the legacy of discrimination against HBCUs and support the development of modern infrastructure for these institutions in a non-competitive, more inclusive manner – a crucial step in creating a more equal playing field for HBCUs.
Read the letter below.
SEF's Reconciliation HBCU Support Letter