Trump redirecting almost $500M to HBCUs

The Trump administration announced Monday that nearly $500 million in federal funds will be redirected to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs). 

HBCUs and TCCUs will get a one-time investment of $495 million on top of what is going in the 2025 federal budget, totaling an increase of 48.4 percent for HBCUs and 109.3 percent for TCCUs. 

Charter schools are also seeing a boost in their funding of $500 million from the Department of Education, along with American history and civics grants getting an extra $160 million investment. 

The federal agency said the money is repurposed from other programs “that the Department determined are not in the best interest of students and families.” 

“Today, the Department is making three massive investments — redirecting financial support away from ineffective and discriminatory programs toward those which support student success. We are proud to make the largest investment in the Charter Schools Grants Program in the Department’s history, support American history programs that will inspire young people to be active and informed citizens, and recognize Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities’ historic contributions to improving education and opportunity in our country,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.  

“The Department has carefully scrutinized our federal grants, ensuring that taxpayers are not funding racially discriminatory programs but those programs which promote merit and excellence in education. The Trump Administration will use every available tool to meaningfully advance educational outcomes and ensure every American has the opportunity to succeed in life,” she added.  

The news comes days after McMahon said her department was ending discretionary funding to multiple Minority-Serving Institutions grant programs due to the institutions’ requirements to “meet racial or ethnic quotas.”