UNCF : Advocacy

Public Policy Priorities

UNCF and its member institutions have a vested interest in public policy at the national level. Many of the programs affecting our students and institutions were established under the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, and its amendments. Programs related to the education of teachers, student financial aid, strengthening institutional capacity, capital financing, accreditation, and other activities are governed by this law. Also, because of our relevance to educating a globally competitive workforce, conducting research, and preparing the next generation of researchers, many other programs are authorized as a matter of law that make it possible for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to partner with almost every federal agency through competitive grant programs. Finally, there has been an Executive Order on HBCUs in place for every president starting with Jimmy Carter. The most recent Executive Order 13532 was signed by President Barack Obama on February 26, 2010.

Taken as a whole, public policy at the national level (federal law, agency guidelines, and executive order) has been designed in recognition of the unique history and strengths that differentiate HBCUs from other institutions of higher education.

The number one public policy priority for UNCF is to ensure that HBCUs continue to have the resources needed to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by a global marketplace. During a protracted season of budget cuts, we must protect and preserve funding for HBCUs.

Title III, Part B Discretionary. Level‐fund Title III, Part B, Section 323(Discretionary) to the fiscal year 2012 level of $228 million. Click here for more information.

Title III, Part B Mandatory. Protect Title III, Part B Mandatory funding($850 million) for the next 10 years.. Click here for more information.

HBCU Capital Financing. Raise the statutory cap loan guarantee for the HBCU Capital Financing program to at least $2.2 billion or preferably $2.6 billion to provide HBCUs with more options to access capital for infrastructure projects. Click here for more information.

All Agency Accounts. Protect and preserve funding for HBCUs at each relevant for the next 10 years at a minimum level equivalent to the comparable fiscal year 2011 levels.

Maximum Pell Award. Protect the maximum Pell award of $5,635 and approve the Student Aid Alliance's recommendations for Title IV. Click here for more information.

HBCU Facts

The first HBCU, Cheney University in Pennsylvania, was founded in 1837. All HBCUs play a critical role in the American higher education system.
While the 105 HBCUs represent just three percent of the nation's institutions of higher learning, they graduate nearly 20 percent of African Americans who earn undergraduate degrees.
UNCF supports minority students at many schools that are not HBCUs. However, UNCF directly supports 38 private HBCUs. Fifty percent of African Americans who graduate from HBCUs go on to graduate or professional schools.