U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today announced that President George W. Bush's budget request for the Education Department will include more than $350 million for programs that will strengthen Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Historically Black Graduate Institutions (HBGIs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)—an increase of more than $12 million over current funding levels.

Paige described President Bush's commitment to meeting the needs of all of America's students—particularly students from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds—during his remarks at a citywide observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Washington, D.C.

Paige reflected upon the significance of President Bush's commitment to educating America's youth through the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which he signed into law earlier this month. Noting that his commitment extends beyond elementary and secondary schools to expanding higher education opportunities, Paige announced that President Bush will continue to support funding increases for programs that support higher education institutions serving large numbers of minority students and will ask Congress for more than $264 million in federal support for HBCUs and HBGIs for fiscal year 2003.

President Bush's budget request for fiscal year 2003 will also include a request for more than $89 million to support HSIs in order to help close the attainment gap between Hispanic students and their peers.

"To honor the legacy of Dr. King, we must continue to support the institutions that offer our minority and disadvantaged students opportunities through higher education," Paige said. "We have committed the resources we need to get that job done, and we will continue to work to make sure that every student in America can achieve, and no child is left behind."

The following are details regarding President Bush's budget request for fiscal year 2003 for HBCUs, HBGIs and HSIs:

• President Bush has pledged to increase funding for HBCUs, HBGIs and HSIs by 30 percent between 2001 and 2005 in an effort to expand access to postsecondary education opportunities for students from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds.
• African-American students have lagged behind other groups of students in educational attainment such as in acquisition of advanced degrees in science, engineering and mathematics. By contributing to the financial stability of institutions that serve African-American students President Bush is asking Congress to help close that attainment gap.
• President Bush will call on Congress to increase funding for HBCUs by $7.4 million—a 3.6 percent increase over 2002 funding levels that will result in an estimated average award of more than $2 million each for the almost 100 eligible HBCUs.
• President Bush will also call on Congress to increase funding for HBGIs by $1.8 million—a 3.6 percent increase over 2002 funding levels that will result in an estimated average award of almost $3 million for the almost 20 eligible HBGIs.
• Hispanics make up the fastest growing segment of our K-12 public school system. However only 10% of Hispanics obtain a college education according to the Department of Education statistics. By supporting HSIs President Bush is seeking to offer greater opportunities for this expanding segment of the American population.
• To enhance the academic quality, management and stability of colleges and universities that enroll large percentages of Hispanic students, President Bush is asking Congress to increase support for these institutions by $3.1 million over 2002 funding levels—a 3.6 percent increase that is expected to expand the number of colleges and universities receiving grants through the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions program to almost 200 eligible institutions.

Paige's announcement follows President Bush's comments during his weekend radio address that he will continue to work to expand opportunities for all Americans through education and will ask Congress to increase federal funding for Title I Grants to Local Education Agencies by $1 billion this year in an effort to support the needs of disadvantaged students across the country. In his radio address, President Bush also announced that he will ask Congress to increase funding for federal support for states in meeting the needs of students with disabilities by $1 billion.

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