US pledges $500 million in new funding to Black colleges
Written by Black Hot Fire Network on September 17, 2025
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| JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY |
| The Trump administration is redirecting nearly $500 million to programs at historically Black colleges, nearly doubling the federal outlay to such campuses in fiscal year 2025. |
The Trump administration is making new investments in historically Black colleges and universities as part of a campaign to improve education outcomes.
The U.S. Department of Education announced on Sept. 15 nearly $500 million in new funding for HBCUs as well as tribal colleges and universities, charter schools and American history and civics programs. The money is repurposed from discretionary programs the department determined are not in the best interest of students and families.
The Education Department will make one-time investments of $495 million to HBCUs and TCCUs in addition to their anticipated fiscal 2025 funding, an increase of 48.4% and 109.3%, respectively. HBCUs will receive more than $1.34 billion and tribal campuses over $108 million in overall financing.
There are 105 HBCUs in the country, and North Carolina has 10 accredited four-year Black colleges, the most of any state.
“[T]he department is making three massive investments – redirecting financial support away from ineffective and discriminatory programs toward those which support student success,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. “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.”
An email seeking comment from U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, a Charlotte Democrat and founder of the Congressional HBCU Caucus, wasn’t returned. Adams, a graduate of historically Black North Carolina A&T State University and retired professor at Bennett College, an HBCU for women, represents a district that includes Johnson C. Smith University, an HBCU.
The new spending was announced on the heels of the administration’s Sept. 10 announcement to end discretionary funding for grant programs to minority-serving institutions that meet racial or ethnic quotas.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer determined in July that such programs “violate the equal-protection component of the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause,” and the Justice Department will not defend them in court.
Citing “dismal educational outcomes” from the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress scores, the Department of Education plans to distribute grants totaling a record $500 million for charter schools to support education choice in fiscal year 2025. That funding fulfills a commitment the Trump administration made earlier in the year.
“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,” McMahon said. “The Trump administration will use every available tool to meaningfully advance educational outcomes and ensure every American has the opportunity to succeed in life.”
The Education Department released earlier this year a notice inviting applications for awards under the American History and Civics Education National Activities – Seminars for America’s Semiquincentennial program. The $160 million in grants is part of an initiative to encourage civics education ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
