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The Trump administration on Monday announced plans to shift $500 million in new funding to historically black colleges and universities and tribal colleges, while cutting other education programs to cover the costs.
The changes, reported by The New York Times, also include $137 million for American history and civics education and $60 million for charter schools. The administration has requested a 15 percent budget reduction for the Department of Education next year, as President Donald Trump has pushed to close the agency altogether.
The largest cuts target $350 million in programs for minority students in science and engineering, along with schools serving large Hispanic populations and other minority-serving institutions. Funding has also been reduced for gifted student programs that the administration argues use race-based recruitment.
“Today, the Department is making three massive investments — redirecting financial support away from ineffective and discriminatory programs toward those which support student success,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement.
“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,” she added.
McMahon added that the administration 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 builds on Trump’s prior initiatives benefiting HBCUs. During his first term, he secured more than $250 million in annual federal funding for those schools and forgave over $300 million in federal relief loans.
In April, he signed an executive order establishing a White House position to oversee a new Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, though the post has not yet been filled.