The old saying is still true: “Follow the Money”.[1]
It is true for students looking for “Best-Fit Colleges” for themselves. Obviously, money is not the only factor. But you don’t want to go to a school that doesn’t have any. With that context, consider this: $93 million in federal grants (not loans) will flow to historically black colleges and universities (HBCU), and other schools that serve black and indigenous people of color (BIPOC).[2] The HBCU schools are those noted below:
- Hampton University
- Southern University
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Texas Southern University
- Tennessee State University
These grants are not distributed directly to students. The grants go to the schools to increase undergraduate research opportunities, faculty development, physical infrastructure and “human capital development”. [3]
BIPOCs are nonetheless beneficiaries. If more money is provided to recruit first-class faculty to HBCUs, the students should increasingly receive first-class course instruction. More funds for research increase the possibility of research projects that gain national acclaim. That all increases the prestige and ranking of the school, which in turn increases the job prospects for students who graduate from the school.
Grants are also forthcoming to Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), notably The United Tribes Technical College, and Blackfeet Community College. Additionally, grants flowed to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), such as City College of New York, The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, and California State University, Fullerton.
Also receiving grants are The University System of Maryland, Long Beach City College, Saint Peter’s University, California State University, Fullerton, Tulsa Community College, University of California, Berkeley, Colorado State University System, and Georgia State University. When searching for colleges to attend, research whether it is trending up in the receipt of grants or endowments, which are funds from major donors earmarked for long-term support of the institution.
[1] This phrase reportedly has its origins in the 1976 film, “All the President’s Men”, chronicling how Washington Post reporters sought to find the truth about the Watergate scandal, forcing President Nixon to resign.
[2] The grants are from the US Department of Education programs, the Research and Development Infrastructure (RDI) and the Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG).
[3] See Deke Major, WHITE HOUSE AWARDS $93M IN GRANTS TO HBCUS, MSIS, AND TRIBAL SCHOOLS:
https://www.blackenterprise.com/white-house-awards-93-million-in-grants-to-hbcus-msis-and-tribal-schools/ (December 12, 2023).