Senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (D-VT) seems determined to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).
Sanders released a separate policy statement as part of his presidential campaign promising to support, strengthen and increase investment for such institutions.
“As President, I will make historic investments in HBCUs and MSIs to strengthen and support those institutions and create environments for future generations of graduates to thrive,” he wrote in the plan.
He wants to make HBCU, including private institutions, tuition-free for every student regardless of income by passing the College for All Act. The plan would provide at least $48 billion per year to eliminate tuition and fees at four-year public colleges and universities, tribal colleges, community colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeship programs.
Sanders also proposed to give $1.3 billion to private, nonprofit HBCUs and MSIs per year to eliminate or significantly reduce tuition and fees. The plan would also expand Pell Grants by enabling students from low-income families to use aid to cover room and board, books, and living expenses.
To increase educator diversity, Sanders promised to establish a dedicated fund of $5 billion to create and expand teacher-training programs at HBCUs, MSIs, and tribal colleges and universities.
The plan proposes to establish a dedicated fund of $5 billion to create and expand medical and dental provider training programs at such schools. He will also decrease the funding gap between predominantly white institutions and other institutions by doubling the funding of Title III and Title V programs that benefit HBCUs and MSIs.
It also promises to issue an executive order that strengthens the white house initiative on HBCUs to eliminate racial disparities.
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