The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation, and Hampton University have been awarded $1 million for a new collaboration to improve fiscal management, campus operations and professional development at the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities, U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige has announced. Secretary Paige made the announcement at NAFEO’s annual conference in Hilton Head, S.C.

"Historically black colleges and universities are a rich and important tradition in our country, and their proven success in graduating African American students makes these institutions essential to the nation’s economy and our higher education system," Secretary Paige said. "This grant will help these vital academic institutions meet new challenges to ensure their future."

HBCUs currently graduate 30 percent of African American students who receive degrees annually and serve a disproportionate population of economically disadvantaged students. HBCUs enroll approximately 400,000 students, or 16 percent of African American college students.

During the past decade, a number of HBCUs have experienced financial difficulties, including the additional challenge of managing millions of dollars in federal student aid. This grant will provide training in the areas of financial management, planning and evaluation for operations and academic programs, and professional development for executive leadership and staff. The grant is part of the Department’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education.

Founded in 1969, NAFEO is a non-profit organization representing 118 black colleges and universities; UNCFSP is a spin-off corporation of the nation’s largest and oldest minority higher education assistance organization, the United Negro College Fund; and, founded in 1868, Hampton University in Hampton, Va., is widely recognized for its academic programs.

"As a graduate of an HBCU, I understand and appreciate the essential role these institutions play in offering equal educational opportunities for African Americans," Secretary Paige said. "President Bush and I share a commitment to enhancing and strengthening HBCUs now and into the future for the benefit of the students and communities they serve so well."

President Bush’s 2005 budget request includes $419 million—an $18.8 million or 4.7 percent increase—to assist higher education institutions with a large proportion of minority and economically disadvantaged students, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Historically Black Graduate Institutions. The president also has proposed $96 million—a $1.9 million increase—to maintain support for institutions that serve large percentages of Hispanic students; $104 million to develop expertise in foreign languages and international studies, which will help meet the nation’s security and economic needs; and $833 million for additional educational outreach and support services to disadvantaged students.

Secretary Paige’s full remarks are available at www.ed.gov/news/speeches/2004/07/07252004.html

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