§1136a Masters Degree Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Summary

If money is available, the Secretary will give grants to 18 named HBCUs to strengthen master’s programs in math, engineering, physical or natural sciences, computer science, information technology, nursing, allied health, and other science fields where African Americans are underrepresented. The eligible schools are Albany State University; Alcorn State University; Claflin University; Coppin State University; Elizabeth City State University; Fayetteville State University; Fisk University; Fort Valley State University; Grambling State University; Kentucky State University; Mississippi Valley State University; Savannah State University; South Carolina State University; University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff; Virginia State University; West Virginia State University; Wilberforce University; and Winston-Salem State University. Programs must have enrolled students when applying, but up to 10% of a grant can go to start a new qualified master’s program. Each school can get at most one grant per year, and the campus leader picks which graduate program(s) the money will support as long as that plan is in the application. Grants must be at least $500,000 per eligible school each year, last no more than six years (and can be renewed), and can be used for things like lab equipment, facility work, library materials, scholarships and fellowships, fundraising and endowment work, financial and data systems, nearby property for campus use, financial literacy training, tutoring and counseling, faculty development, and other approved activities. No award over $1,000,000 may be made unless the school promises to pay half of the project cost from non‑Federal sources; the first $1,000,000 of each award needs no match. If a school fails the match rule, its money can be split among schools that did match. The first $9,000,000 of any year’s funding is reserved to cover the minimum grants to the listed schools (and will be cut proportionally if there is not enough). Any funds above $9,000,000 are shared by a formula that looks at matching ability, enrolled students, cost per student, number of graduates, and the program’s share of African American master’s degrees. A school that got certain other federal grants that year cannot get money under this program for that same year. Applications must explain how the funds will help Black and low‑income students and, if asking for over $1,000,000, show how the non‑Federal share will be paid. Schools that received a grant in fiscal year 2009 cannot get less than their 2009 amount in later years unless funding is too small or they cannot meet the matching requirement.