Congresswoman Luz Rivas’ Statement on Department of Education Ending Grants to MSI’s

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29), co-chair of the STEM Education Caucus and the first Latina to represent CA-29, released the following statement after the Department of Education announced that it would be illegally ending discretionary grant programs to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) after Congress appropriated funds.

"The Department of Education's unilateral decision to end grant funding that supports MSIs is detrimental to the opportunities and success of low-income students and students of color," said Congresswoman Rivas. "MSIs empower students to climb the economic ladder and become leaders in their communities. Yet, the Trump Administration continues to threaten the futures of countless students in our community. This will only make America less competitive globally, while closing the door on these students pursuing their American Dream."

Background:

On September 10, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it will end discretionary funding to several MSI grant programs.

The programs that will be impacted are:

• Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (Title III Part A);
• Strengthening Predominantly Black Institutions (Title III Part A);
• Strengthening Asian American- and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (Title III Part A);
• Strengthening Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (Title III Part A);
• Minority Science and Engineering Improvement (Title III Part E);
• Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (Title V Part A); and
• Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (Title V Part B).

Approximately $350 million in discretionary funds were expected to be allocated to support these programs in Fiscal Year 2025.

###