Many HBCUs Need Government Funding, But Some Are Preparing for a Future Without It
Across the country, colleges are battling the threat of losing federal support — but at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), the stakes are far higher.
As the Trump administration moves to gut diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and even dismantle the Department of Education, many Black institutions are being forced to imagine a future without government funding — a future that could impact students, research, staffing, and the very survival of these schools.
“We’re at this position where we realize that our ancestors did not rely on federal money in order to get the work done,” said Fatima Brunson, an assistant professor at Spelman College. “But it’s not the same for every HBCU.”
Cuts Have Already Started, With More Threats Looming
In late March, Florida A&M University (FAMU) lost a $16.3 million federal grant for its College of Pharmacy, a devastating blow that funded faculty hires and research into artificial intelligence and cancer disparities.
“The loss of funding… could potentially impact the types of financial support available to students to further their higher education aspirations,” said Charles Weatherford, FAMU’s vice president for research.
And while no HBCUs have yet been formally targeted in the administration’s push to eliminate DEI-related programs, many campus leaders believe it’s only a matter of time.
“Students and others at these institutions are getting a steady and unmistakable message that they are the enemies of the Trump administration,” said one HBCU administrator, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
A Sector Dependent on Federal Dollars
More than 300,000 students attend about 100 HBCUs across the country. According to the United Negro College Fund, these institutions are more reliant on federal aid than most colleges:
- 73% of HBCU students receive Pell Grants, compared to 36% of students at non-HBCUs.
- Over 50% of Black colleges’ revenue comes from federal and state funds — compared to only one-third at other institutions.
That level of dependency makes HBCUs especially vulnerable to cuts and political decisions. Many are already operating with tight budgets due to decades of underfunding, with a 2022 Forbes report showing Black colleges were underfunded by more than $12 billion over the last 30 years.
Some HBCUs Take Action While Others Brace for Impact
At Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, President Valerie Kinloch is already preparing for a world without federal aid. The school has launched a $10 million fundraising campaign to offset potential losses.
Kinloch says she worries about the fate of programs like Upward Bound, which supports first-generation college students, and federally backed research into housing and healthcare inequities.
“These are projects that can transform lives,” she said.
At Spelman, Brunson says the pressure is real, even at a well-resourced institution:
“Education is under attack… If anything, it’s making us go back to the deeper philosophical reason for why we are here in the first place.”
Some HBCUs are fortunate enough to have stronger financial cushions — Howard University, for example, became the first Black college to reach a $1 billion endowment, while North Carolina A&T leads among public HBCUs with $202 million in reserves.
But not every campus has that safety net.
“We know Black businesses and schools often lack the access to capital that others have,” said Hassiem Kambui, an education professor at a public HBCU. “This is a moment to reassess and reinvest in self-preservation.”
Political Targeting or Policy Shift?
The Trump administration’s stance has been clear: defund DEI and roll back race-conscious policies. Trump has already banned DEI practices in federal agencies and promised that under his leadership, “Our country will be woke no longer.”
The Department of Education insists it’s not shutting down just yet.
“Sunsetting the Department of Education will be done in partnership with Congress,” said Madi Biedermann, a spokesperson for the department. Still, for HBCUs, the threat is real — and the planning has already begun.
In February, the USDA briefly suspended its 1890 Scholars Program — a federal tuition initiative for HBCUs — without explanation, only to quietly reinstate it days later. For many, it was a warning sign.
HBCUs Stand Firm Despite the Pressure
HBCUs contribute more than $15 billion annually to local economies and support thousands of jobs. But to their communities, they mean much more. These institutions are not just centers of education — they are pillars of cultural identity and Black excellence.
“This moment is hard, but it’s not new,” said Brunson. “We’ve always found a way — and we will again.”
