AT A GLANCE
- Nearly $500 million in federal funds redirected to HBCUs and tribal colleges.
- Hispanic-Serving Institution grants slashed by $350 million after DOJ deemed them unconstitutional.
- Education Secretary Linda McMahon says funding will now prioritize “merit and excellence.”
- Critics warn cuts reverse decades of bipartisan support for Latino student access.
HBCUs and Tribal Colleges See Historic One-Time Boost
The Trump administration announced nearly $500 million in redirected federal funding for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges, delivering what it called a historic one-time boost. According to the Education Department, HBCUs will see a 48% increase, while tribal colleges will see their federal support more than doubled.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon framed the move as part of a broader effort to prioritize programs that “support student success” and argued that some federal grants had been discriminatory in nature.
Hispanic-Serving Programs Slashed
The decision comes just days after the department cut $350 million from programs designated for colleges with large Hispanic student populations. Established in 1998, the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) program was designed to address inequities in college access and graduation rates for Latino students.
But the Justice Department has argued the grants are unconstitutional, contending they discriminate against colleges that serve Hispanic students but do not meet the threshold of 25% Hispanic enrollment. The department declined to defend the program in an ongoing lawsuit filed by Tennessee and the anti-affirmative action group Students for Fair Admissions.
Charter Schools and Civics Education Get Extra Funds
The Education Department also redirected $60 million toward charter schools and $137 million to American history and civics grants. The move follows President Trump’s executive order earlier this year directing more federal money toward school choice initiatives.
Officials said the decision was made possible through a stopgap funding bill that expanded executive branch authority over discretionary education spending.
Democrats and Advocates Slam the Cuts
Democratic lawmakers denounced the elimination of long-standing minority-serving programs, arguing they have played a critical role in promoting social mobility for working-class students. Critics said the cuts undermine decades of bipartisan commitment to ensuring equal opportunity for Hispanic and other minority students.
The Education Department confirmed additional cuts affected programs supporting magnet schools, international education, teacher training, and gifted student initiatives. Those programs are also set to be zeroed out in Trump’s upcoming 2026 budget request, according to a person familiar with the plan.
Trump’s HBCU Record
President Trump has consistently branded himself as a supporter of HBCUs. During his first term, Congress approved $250 million in annual funding for HBCUs, and earlier this year, Trump signed an executive action pledging an annual White House summit, a federal advisory board, and other forms of support.
The Education Department defended its latest decision, stating the redirected money will fund programs that do not “rely on racial quotas” and are in the “best interest of students and families.”
