By Margery Hannah
The Trump administration has announced a major reallocation of federal education dollars: a $495 million increase for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), raising their total federal support for fiscal year 2025 to $1.34 billion.
The decision follows two earlier moves this year—an executive order on HBCUs that the White House billed as a permanent commitment, and the administration’s cancellation of multiple Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) programs deemed legally vulnerable. Together, the three steps mark a new phase of federal engagement with Black higher education.
According to the Department of Education, “The Department is also making a significant, one-time investment in HBCUs and TCCUs (Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities) to support the unique and historic contributions of these institutions of higher education. HBCUs and TCCUs will receive an additional $495 million on top of the anticipated FY 2025 investment, an increase of 48.4 percent and 109.3 percent, respectively. In total, HBCUs will receive over $1.34 billion and TCCUs will receive over $108 million from the Department for fiscal year 2025.”
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement: “Today, the Department is making three massive investments — redirecting financial support away from ineffective and discriminatory programs toward those which support student success. We are proud to make the largest investment in the Charter Schools Grants Program … support American history programs … and recognize Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities’ historic contributions. The Department has carefully scrutinized our federal grants, ensuring that taxpayers are not funding racially discriminatory programs but those which promote merit and excellence in education.”
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Chelle A. Carter-Wilson 
Malea Parker