The Trump administration announced that it will direct $500 million in new funding to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges, marking one of the largest commitments to these institutions in recent years.
The plan also includes $137 million for American history and civics education programs and $60 million in additional funding for charter schools, according to a report by The New York Times.
To offset these investments, the administration has proposed reductions in other areas of the Department of Education’s budget.
The White House is requesting a 15 percent overall cut to the department next year, in line with President Donald Trump’s longstanding position that the agency should eventually be closed permanently.
The proposed cuts include $350 million from programs supporting minority students in science and engineering fields, schools with high Hispanic enrollment, and other minority-serving institutions.
Funding has also been reduced for gifted programs that the administration argues rely on racially targeted recruitment practices.
In announcing the new initiatives, Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized that the changes are intended to shift resources toward programs that advance merit and measurable results.
“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,” McMahon said.
She added, “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.”
The decision reflects President Trump’s continued prioritization of HBCUs.
During his first term, he secured more than $250 million in annual federal funding for these institutions and forgave over $300 million in federal relief loans owed by HBCUs.
In April, the President signed an executive order creating a White House position to oversee a new Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
While that role has yet to be filled, the administration has said it remains committed to implementing the initiative.
The $137 million allocation for American history and civics education is designed to strengthen programs that encourage student engagement with the nation’s founding principles and democratic institutions.
The $60 million in new funding for charter schools represents the largest single investment in the program’s history, intended to expand access to alternative public education models across the country.
The administration’s education budget plan is expected to draw significant debate in Congress, particularly over the proposed reductions to minority-serving institutions outside of HBCUs and tribal colleges.
However, officials have framed the new funding priorities as part of a broader strategy to emphasize programs that they argue directly support student achievement and avoid discriminatory practices in recruitment and admissions.
For HBCUs and tribal colleges, the $500 million commitment adds to a series of measures by the Trump administration that supporters say has elevated the institutions’ financial stability and long-term prospects.
The announcement signals that education policy will remain a key component of the administration’s agenda going into the next budget cycle.
