Bay Area universities losing millions in minority grant funding

"Bay Area universities lost more than $2 million in funds after the Trump administration announced it was rerouting money meant for minority-serving institutions to charter schools and other educational programs, an analysis by Bay Area News Group has revealed. In September, the Department of Education announced it was ending $350 million in discretionary funding for several minority-serving grant programs, alleging the programs were "racially discriminatory" because qualifying schools must maintain a percentage of minority students in their total student enrollment."

"The grants that were slashed supported schools that served a higher population of Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students, black students, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander students, Native American students and Hispanic students. Funds for the programs were meant to help schools expand and improve their capacity to serve minority students, including improving retention and graduation rates, increasing transfer student enrollment and creating a sense of belonging for students."

"All but one of California State University's 22 campuses meet the criteria to qualify as a Hispanic-serving institution - meaning at least 25% of the campus' student body are Hispanic students and at least half of all degree-seeking students are low-income - and 11 of the university systems campuses qualify as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution"

Federal actions redirected discretionary funding away from minority-serving grant programs, causing Bay Area universities to lose more than $2 million. The Department of Education ended $350 million in funding, characterizing the programs as "racially discriminatory" because qualifying schools must maintain a percentage of minority students. The eliminated grants supported institutions serving Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Black, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander, Native American and Hispanic student populations. The grants aimed to expand institutional capacity, improve retention and graduation rates, increase transfer enrollment and foster student belonging. Multiple California State University and University of California campuses meet or approach eligibility thresholds for these grants.

Read at The Mercury News