20.5 Million in Grants Awarded Under Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today announced the award of 33 new grants totaling more than $20.5 million that will directly benefit Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education.

"Under No Child Left Behind, Hispanic students' scores have risen to all-time highs. Having seen the positive impact at the grade school level, we must continue to promote that kind of success in our institutes of higher education," said Secretary Spellings. "By giving colleges and universities the ability to improve and facilitate their Hispanic education efforts, these students will graduate better equipped to succeed in both the workforce and in life."

Grants are awarded to Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to expand educational opportunities for, and improved the academic attainment of Hispanic students. In addition, they expanded and enhanced the academic offerings, program quality and institutional stability of colleges and universities that are educating the majority of Hispanic college students and other low-income individuals completing post secondary degrees.

Five-year development grants and one-year planning grants may be awarded. Funds may be used for activities such as the renovation of instructional facilities, faculty development, the purchase of scientific or laboratory equipment for educational purposes, funds and administrative management, development and improvement of academic programs, acquisition of equipment to strengthen funds management and academic program, joint use of facilities, academic tutoring, counseling programs, and student support services.

A Hispanic-Serving Institution is defined as a non-profit institution that has at least 25 percent Hispanic full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment, and of the Hispanic student enrollment at least 50 percent are low income. Low income is defined as 150 percent of the poverty level as determined by the Bureau of the Census.

More information about the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program is available at: http://www.ed.gov/programs/idueshsi/index.html.