Trump Administration Boosts HBCU Funding After Cutting Grants for Hispanic-Serving Colleges

September 18, 2025

The Trump administration is redirecting nearly $500 million in federal funding from various minority-serving programs toward historically Black colleges and tribal colleges. This reallocation represents a 48% funding increase for HBCUs and more than doubles funding for tribal colleges, coming primarily from cuts to Hispanic-serving institution grants and other programs. Education Secretary Linda McMahon justified the change by stating they're moving money away from "ineffective and discriminatory programs" toward those supporting student success.

Who is affected

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges receiving a significant funding increase
Hispanic-serving institutions and other minority-serving colleges experiencing funding cuts
Students attending these various institutions
Charter schools receiving additional funding
Programs supporting gifted and talented students, magnet schools, international education, and teacher training losing funding
Tennessee's public universities that serve Hispanic students but don't meet the threshold for Hispanic Serving Institution grants

What action is being taken

The Education Department is redirecting nearly $500 million from certain minority-serving programs toward HBCUs and tribal colleges
$60 million is being reallocated toward charter schools
$137 million is being redirected toward American history and civics grants
The department is cutting $350 million from grants, particularly those for Hispanic-serving institutions
The Justice Department is declining to defend the Hispanic Serving Institution grants in a lawsuit brought by Tennessee and Students for Fair Admissions

Why it matters

The funding shift represents a 48% increase for HBCUs and more than doubles funding for tribal colleges
The administration claims to be redirecting funds from "discriminatory programs" toward those promoting "merit and excellence"
The cuts to Hispanic-serving institution grants reverse decades of precedent since the program's creation in 1998
The reallocation reflects Trump's priorities, including his self-description as a champion of HBCUs and his support for charter schools
Democrats criticize the cuts to programs they say have bipartisan support and promote social mobility

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint