§1136b Masters Degree Programs at Predominantly Black Institutions

Summary

The Secretary must give program grants to five named colleges when those schools are helping create or run master’s programs in math, engineering, the physical or natural sciences, computer science, information technology, nursing, allied health, or other scientific fields for Black Americans, if money is available. No grant bigger than $1,000,000 can be made unless the school promises that 50 percent of the cost will come from non‑Federal sources, but the first $1,000,000 of any award does not need to be matched. Each eligible school must get at least $500,000 per fiscal year (subject to funding rules) and grants may last up to six years and be renewed. The five eligible schools are Chicago State University; Columbia Union College; Long Island University, Brooklyn campus; Robert Morris College; and York College, CUNY. A "qualified masters degree program" means a master’s program in the listed fields where African Americans are underrepresented and that has students enrolled when applying; up to 10 percent of a grant can be used to start a new qualified program. The school president or chancellor decides which program(s) will get the money in the application, and each school can get only one grant per year. To apply, a school must show how the money will improve graduate chances for Black and low‑income students and help them become more financially independent. Applications over $1,000,000 must include the matching plan and say how the non‑Federal share will be paid. Grants may pay for things like lab and classroom equipment, building or renovating facilities, library materials, scholarships and fellowships for needy graduate students, development offices and endowments, financial and administrative systems, nearby property for campus use, financial literacy education, tutoring and counseling, faculty development, and other approved activities that support the program goals. A school that receives certain other federal awards in the same fiscal year cannot get a grant here that year. From annual appropriations, the first $2,500,000 (or less if that is all that is available) must be used for the minimum grants; if that is not enough the minimum awards are cut evenly. Any money above $2,500,000 is split by a formula that looks at each school’s ability to match funds, enrollment, cost per student, number of degrees awarded the prior year, and the program’s share of African American master’s degrees. Schools that got a grant in fiscal year 2009 cannot get less than their 2009 amount in later years unless overall funding is too small or the school cannot provide required matching funds.