Media Update

The U.S. Department of Education has announced that 81 colleges and universities that serve a significant number of disadvantaged and minority students will receive $19.2 million to improve academic programs, facilities, administration and student services.

The grants are awarded under two programs authorized by the Higher Education Act: the Strengthening Institutions Program under Title III, Part A; and the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program under Part E.

The Strengthening Institutions Program aims to help eligible schools attract and retain more students by helping them improve their programs and facilities, update technology, increase student achievement and offer faculty development opportunities. An eligible school must have a sufficient percentage of financially needy students and have lower budgets than other comparable schools.

Nineteen institutions were awarded $6.7 million to carry out a variety of these activities that strengthen their self-sufficiency and make them more competitive with other schools. These grants are awarded for five years. Six schools will receive $7.6 million for one-year construction projects that specifically benefit tribally controlled colleges. An additional 14 colleges will receive $475,000 for one-year planning grants, which give schools the funds to assess needs and take other preliminary steps to better prepare a development grant application the following year.

The Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) supports long-range improvements in engineering and science disciplines at predominantly minority institutions, which is defined as schools with more than 50 percent minority enrollment. The goal is to increase the number of qualified ethnic minorities, especially minority women, who enroll in school and pursue careers in science and engineering.

This year 42 institutions received $4.4 million under the MSEIP. Forty-one of the grants are two- or three-year development grants and one is a one-year planning grant.

Another $66.4 million was awarded for 240 continuation grants under Title III, and $3.9 million was awarded to continue 59 grants under MSEIP.

Note to editors: A list of grantees for four programs follows.

Strengthening Institutions Program Fiscal Year 2002 Grant Recipients - Development Grants

Strengthening Institutions Program Fiscal Year 2002 Grant Recipients - Planning Grants

Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Program - Construction Grants

Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program - Fiscal Year 2002 Grant Recipients

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