Trump Boosts HBCU Funding Despite His Attacks on DEI Programs. Here Is Why Some Experts Believe This is Happening

October 9, 2025

President Trump's administration announced a significant one-time investment of an additional $495 million for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges, which HBCU advocates consider beneficial for these chronically underfunded institutions. The funding would help Black colleges enhance their endowments, expand research, upgrade facilities, strengthen campus security, and improve student and faculty support services. However, higher education experts question Trump's motives for increasing HBCU funding while simultaneously working to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at other educational institutions and cutting $350 million from other grants, particularly those for Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs).

Who is affected

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges receiving the additional $495 million investment
Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) facing $350 million in cuts from other grants
Students and faculty at HBCUs who would benefit from improved facilities, security, and support services
Hispanic students who may experience fewer resources and potential disparities in educational outcomes
Black and brown students at predominantly White institutions affected by the dismantling of DEI programs
HBCU leadership navigating the political implications of accepting funding

What action is being taken

The Trump administration is providing a one-time additional investment of $495 million to HBCUs and tribal colleges, marking a 50% increase to the anticipated allotment for fiscal year 2025
The Department of Education is using "existing flexibilities in discretionary grant programs" to redirect resources toward HBCUs
The administration is simultaneously cutting $350 million from other grants, particularly those for Hispanic Serving Institutions
The administration is forcing several colleges to cancel their diversity programs by threatening to pull federal funding
President Trump has directed attorneys to review Smithsonian museums that focus on "how bad slavery was"

Why it matters

HBCUs have been historically underfunded since their inception despite "punching above their weight" in educating students from underserved backgrounds
The funding boost could significantly impact every HBCU campus by helping them grow endowments, expand research, upgrade facilities, and provide better support services
HBCUs have played a crucial role in creating the Black middle class, which is vital to the nation's economy
The simultaneous cutting of HSI funding creates potential disparities in educational resources for Hispanic students
The situation highlights tensions between supporting historically Black institutions while dismantling diversity programs elsewhere in higher education
Some experts view the funding as a political move to gain "goodwill" while continuing other policies perceived as harmful to people of color

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

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