Non-profit United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is starting a campaign to secure passage of Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) legislation.
The joint bicameral, bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Doug Jones (D-Ala) in May seeks to reauthorize funding for all Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including minority-serving institutions.
Through the campaign, UNCF will encourage supporters of HBCUs, STEM education, low income, and first-generation students to write to their senators and congressmen to seek support for the bill.
“This one bill represents $85 million a year to HBCUs. Collectively, all MSIs have $255 million annually at risk,” said Lodriguez V. Murray, UNCF’s vice president of Public Policy and Government Affairs.
“Not only have these institutions benefited from this funding over the last 12 years, but every vote taken on this issue has had the support of both Republicans and Democrats.”
The federal funding for HBCUs and MSIs originally established by the College Cost and Reduction Act for the years of 2008-2009, is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2019. The reauthorization of the funds through the bill would further the capital improvement needs, as well as faculty and curriculum development and student services.
“It is our hope that both parties will come together, once again, to support and pass this important piece of legislation,” Murray added.
Kamala Harris, who is a Democratic presidential candidate, has proposed a $60 billion investment in STEM education at historically black colleges and universities – along with other minority-serving institutions – to foster entrepreneurship among the black community members.
Julián Castro has also promised investment of $3 billion per year to provide financial support and increase access for low-income students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions.