The U.S. Department of Education announced today the awarding of nearly $50 million to Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to support Hispanic and Latino students, as well as the colleges and universities preparing them for future opportunities.
“Our nation’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions open up new doors to opportunity and success for Hispanic and Latino students every day,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The grants we’re announcing today double down on the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic investments in Hispanic-Serving Institutions and reflect our determination to raise the bar for educational opportunity and equity in America.”
Through the Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) program, 16 institutions received more than $11 million to expand graduate opportunities for Hispanic students. Applicants were encouraged to propose projects supporting an increase in the number of Hispanics prepared for the STEM workforce, as well as the number of Hispanic educators.
The Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) program provided 49 grants totaling more than $28 million to assist HSIs in expanding educational opportunities and improving attainment rates among Hispanic students.
Through the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program, 16 HSIs received more than $9.5 million in funding aimed at increasing the number of well-prepared teachers from diverse backgrounds serving underserved elementary and secondary schools.
Additionally, through the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP), four HSIs were granted over $1 million to support long-term improvements in science and engineering education, particularly increasing participation by minority women in STEM careers.
Today’s grants are part of a broader commitment by the Biden-Harris Administration to create opportunities for all Americans. To date, this administration has invested over $15 billion in HSIs—the largest investment ever made. In July, President Biden issued an Executive Order aimed at advancing equity in economic and educational opportunities at these institutions by strengthening their capacity to provide high-quality education.
