March 29th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) today lauded new funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) – a 14-percent increase in federal funding in the omnibus spending bill passed by Congress and signed into law Friday. The 14 percent funding increase, from $244.7 million in FY17 to $279.6 million in FY18, follows a request made by Senators Cardin and Van Hollen last month in a letter to the leadership of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

 

“Maryland’s four Historically Black Colleges and Universities – Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore – are integral to our world-class university system,” said Senator Cardin. “Despite the recognition that our state’s HBCUs graduate a significant number of our state’s African American engineers and scientists, they have faced significant funding challenges. These schools provide a path for so many first-generation college students, many of whom come from under-served backgrounds. I am proud that our efforts to increase federal support have been successful, and I will continue to advocate for the resources these important institutions need to serve Maryland students.”

 

“Maryland’s HBCUs play a critical role in educating our students and preparing them to enter the workforce and enjoy a lifetime of success. This increased funding highlights the importance of HBCUs in our education system and will help provide our universities with the resources they need to continue to provide opportunities to Maryland students,” said Senator Van Hollen. “I will continue fighting for the necessary investments in HBCUs to ensure students from all backgrounds are able to achieve academic success.”

 

In addition to the increased funding for HBCUs, historically Black graduate institutions will also receive a 14-percent funding increase, from $63.3 million to $73.3 million. Predominantly Black Institutions will receive a boost from $9.9 million to $11.4 million.

 

Maryland’s HBCUs generate $1 billion in total economic impact for the state. Additionally, more than 9,300 jobs are generated for local and regional economies, and increase their graduates’ lifetime earnings by 58 percent more than workers without a college degree.

 

Last month, Senators Cardin and Van Hollen sent a letter with 12 of their colleagues to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies requesting that the upcoming omnibus bill contain a restoration and increase in federal support to HBCUs. Joining Jones and Harris, the letter was signed by Senators Booker, Brown, Casey, Carper, Coons, Durbin, Harris, Jones, Kaine, Nelson, Warner, and Warren. In addition to the increase in funding, the bill contains a directive to the Secretary of Education to create and execute an outreach plan to work with States and the Capital Financing Advisory Board to improve outreach to States and help additional public Historically Black Colleges and Universities participate in the program.