U.S. Department of Education: Promoting Educational Excellence for all Americans

Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Summary — February 1, 2010

 

Section III. E.  Higher Education Programs

Overview

The Administration's request for fiscal year 2011 includes $2.1 billion for Higher Education programs. This request, in combination with new programs and funding that would be provided under the pending Reconciliation legislation (the House-passed Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, now pending in the Senate), would support a comprehensive set of programs that will help achieve the President's goal of significantly increasing the percentage of Americans with postsecondary degrees or industry-recognized certificates.

To help close the gap in college enrollment and degree attainment between minority and low-income students and others, the request would provide $508.5 million in discretionary funding for the Aid for Institutional Development programs, an increase of $23.8 million over the 2010 level. The request provides a 5 percent increase over the 2010 level for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and virtually all of the Title III discretionary grant programs that would be used by the institutions to improve academic programs and administrative and fundraising capabilities. The request also provides a $5.9 million, or 5 percent, increase over the 2010 level for the Developing Hispanic-serving Institutions program to help ensure that Hispanic students have access to high quality postsecondary education.

The request provides $125.9 million for the International Education and Foreign Language Studies programs to help meet the Nation's security and economic needs through the development of expertise in foreign languages and area and international studies. Dramatic changes in the world's geopolitical and economic landscapes and the war on terrorism underscore the importance of maintaining and expanding American understanding of other peoples and their languages.

The request also would provide $910.1 million in combined discretionary and mandatory appropriations to maintain college preparation and college student support services for participants in the Federal TRIO Programs, as well as $323.2 million for an estimated 748,000 middle and high school students preparing for college through Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP).

In addition, the request provides $64 million for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) to support innovative projects to reform and improve postsecondary education, including $25 million for a STEM initiative to identify and validate effective approaches for recruiting, retaining, and teaching undergraduate students in STEM fields.

Finally, the budget would provide $40.7 million for merit- and need-based scholarships and fellowships to postsecondary students under the Javits Fellowships and Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) programs.

Title III: Aid for Institutional Development
(B.A. in millions)

  2009   2010   2011
Request
 
 
Strengthening Institutions $80.0   $84.0   $88.2  
Strengthening Tribally Controlled
  Colleges and Universities
23.2   30.2   31.7  
Strengthening Alaska Native and
  Native Hawaiian-serving Institutions
11.6   15.1   15.8  
Strengthening Historically Black
  Colleges and Universities
238.1   266.6   279.9  
Strengthening Historically Black
  Graduate Institutions
58.5   61.4   64.5  
Master's Degree Programs at
  HBCUs and PBIs (mandatory)
11.5 1 11.5 1 11.5 1
Strengthening Predominantly Black
   Institutions
  10.8   11.3  
Strengthening Asian American and Native
  American Pacific Islander-serving Institutions
2.5   3.6   3.8  
Strengthening Native American-serving
  nontribal institutions
  3.6   3.8  
Minority Science and Engineering
  Improvement
8.6   9.5   9.5  
Total
434.0
 
496.3
 
520.0
 

   1These funds are not part of the fiscal year 2011 budget request, but are mandatory appropriations provided under Title VIII, Part AA, Section 897 of the HEA (P.L. 110-315, Higher Education Opportunity Act).

The request for Title III maintains support for institutions that serve large percentages of minority and disadvantaged students. Title III funding, which is awarded both competitively and by a formula that directs aid to specified institutions, helps provide equal educational opportunity and strong academic programs for these students and enhances the financial stability of the institutions that serve them. The 2011 request proposes a 5 percent increase over the fiscal year 2010 level for all Title III discretionary grant programs except the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program. Funds may be used to plan, develop, and implement activities that support faculty development; funds and administrative management; development and improvement of academic programs; joint use of libraries and laboratories; construction, maintenance, and renovation of instructional facilities; student services; and endowment funds.

Strengthening Institutions supports institutions that provide educational opportunities to low-income and minority students. This funding level would support 181 non-competing continuation grants and would enable the Department to award 41 new individual development grants.

Strengthening Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities supports 32 Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) located primarily in remote areas not served by other postsecondary education institutions. These institutions offer a broad range of degree and vocational certificate programs to students for whom these educational opportunities would otherwise be geographically and culturally inaccessible.

Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving Institutions supports institutions with undergraduate enrollments that are at least 20 percent Alaska Native, and at least 10 percent Native Hawaiian students, respectively. The request would fund 12 continuation grants and 15 new individual development and renovation grants for these institutions, which typically are located in remote areas not served by other institutions.

Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities supports any accredited, legally authorized HBCU that was established prior to 1964 and whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans. Fiscal year 2011 funding would support 96 HBCUs. Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions supports 24 institutions with schools of law, medical schools, or other graduate programs.

Strengthening Predominantly Black Institutions supports primarily urban and rural 2-year colleges that have an enrollment of undergraduate students that is at least 40 percent Black Americans and that serve at least 50 percent low-income or first-generation college students. The request would support a second year of funding for 21 PBI grantees and fund 1 new grant.

Strengthening Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving Institutions supports institutions with undergraduate enrollments that are at least 10 percent Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander. This funding level would support 5 continuation grants and 2 new awards for institutions serving this exceptionally diverse population.

Strengthening Native American-serving, Nontribal Institutions supports institutions that are not designated as TCCUs, yet enroll at least 10 percent Native American students and serve at least 50 percent low-income students. The request would support 7 continuation awards.

The Minority Science and Engineering Improvement program would fund 15 new competitive and 39 continuation grants that support improvement in science and engineering education at predominantly minority institutions and increase the participation of underrepresented ethnic minorities, particularly minority women, in scientific and technological careers.

Aid for Hispanic-serving Institutions
(B.A. in millions)

  2009   2010   2011
Request
 
 
Developing Hispanic-serving Institutions $93.3   $117.4   $123.3  
Promoting Postbaccalaureate
  Opportunities for Hispanic Americans
       
     (discretionary)   10.5   10.5  
     (mandatory) 11.5   11.5 1 11.5 1
Total
204.8
 
139.4
 
145.3
 

   1These funds are mandatory appropriations provided under Title VIII, Part AA, Section 898 of the HEA (P.L. 110-315, Higher Education Opportunity Act) and are not included in the fiscal year 2011 budget request.

The Developing Hispanic-serving Institutions program funds competitive grants to expand and enhance the academic quality, institutional management, fiscal stability, and self-sufficiency of colleges and universities that enroll large percentages of Hispanic students.

The Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans program provides funds to eligible HSIs that offer a postbaccalaureate certificate or postbaccalaureate degree-granting program. The program is designed to help Hispanic Americans gain entry into and succeed in graduate study, a level of education in which they are underrepresented. Mandatory funding is provided for 5 years beginning in fiscal year 2009. Additionally, the Department received $10.5 million in discretionary funds in fiscal year 2010 and is requesting the same amount for fiscal year 2011.

International Education and Foreign Language Studies (IEFLS)
(B.A. in millions)

  2009 2010 2011
Request
 
Domestic Programs $102.3 $108.4 $108.4
Overseas Programs 14.7 15.6 15.6
Institute for International Public Policy 1.8 1.9 1.9
Total
118.9

125.9

125.9

The 14 International Education and Foreign Language Studies programs support comprehensive language and area study centers within the United States, research and curriculum development, opportunities for American scholars to study abroad, and activities to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in international service. In addition to promoting general understanding of the peoples of other countries, the Department's international programs also serve important economic, diplomatic, defense, and other national security interests. The 2011 request would fund approximately 471 grants to institutions of higher education, directly support over 1,500 individuals through fellowships and projects, and support the participation of more than 100 underrepresented minority students in international service programs.

Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE)
(B.A. in millions)

  2009 2010 2011
Request
 
Comprehensive Program $3.5 $27.4 $20.7
International Consortia 9.7 10.3 12.4
STEM Initiative 25.0
Special Focus Competitions 27.8 4.8
Earmarks 91.2 101.5
Other programs 1.0 19.3
Other 0.4 0.9 1.2
Total
133.7

159.4

64.0

FIPSE awards competitive grants to support exemplary, locally developed projects that are models for innovative reform and improvement in postsecondary education. The 2011 request represents a decrease of $95.4 million because of the elimination of funding for earmarks and other small programs funded but not authorized under FIPSE, but includes $25 million for a new STEM competitive grant initiative.

The new STEM initiative would identify and validate more effective approaches for attracting, retaining, and teaching undergraduates in STEM fields that can be brought to scale. The activities supported through this initiative would be part of a coordinated Federal strategy developed in collaboration with the Institute of Education Sciences, the National Science Foundation, and other Federal agencies.

Funding for the International Consortia programs would support 155 academic partnerships between U.S. institutions of higher education and overseas institutions to provide students with increased opportunities to study abroad and increase cooperation and collaboration between institutions in these countries.

Demonstration Projects to Support Postsecondary Faculty, Staff, and Administrators in Educating Students with Disabilities

  2009 2010 2011
Request
 
B.A. in millions $6.8 $6.8 $6.8

This competitive grant program supports model projects that enhance the quality of higher education for students with disabilities. Grants are awarded to institutions of higher education to provide technical assistance and professional development for faculty and administrators. The 2011 request would support 23 new grants.

Model Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities into Higher Education

  2009 2010 2011
Request
 
B.A. in millions $11.0 $11.0

This program awards competitive grants to institutions of higher education or consortia of such institutions to create or expand high quality, inclusive model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities. The 2011 request would support about 25 continuation grants.

Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions

  2009 2010 2011
Request
 
B.A. in millions $7.8 $8.2 $8.2

The program makes grants to tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical institutions to provide career and technical education to Indian students. The request would fund instructional and student support services, as well as institutional support and capital expenditures, at the United Tribes Technical College and Navajo Technical College, the only institutions that meet the eligibility requirements for this program.

Special Programs for Migrant Students

  2008 2009 2010
Request
 
B.A. in millions $34.2 $36.7 $36.7

Special Programs for Migrant Students include the High School Equivalency Program (HEP), which funds competitively selected projects to help low income migrant and seasonal farm workers gain high school diplomas or equivalency certificates, and the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), which makes competitive grants to provide stipends and special services, such as tutoring and counseling, to migrant students who are in their first year of college. The 2011 request would support approximately 45 HEP projects and 38 CAMP projects, as well as outreach, technical assistance, and professional development activities.

Federal TRIO Programs
(B.A. in millions)

  2009   2010   2011
Request
 
 
Talent Search $141.5   $142.0   $142.0  
Upward Bound 257.4   257.8   257.8  
Veterans Upward Bound 14.0   13.9   13.9  
Upward Bound Math-Science 35.2   35.2   35.2  
Educational Opportunity Centers 46.8   46.8   46.8  
Student Support Services 301.5   301.0   301.0  
McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement 47.3   47.6   47.6  
Staff Training 3.4   3.4   3.4  
Evaluation   1.5   1.5  
Administration/Peer Review 0.9   3.9   3.9  
Upward Bound (mandatory) 57.0 1 57.0 1 57.0 1
Total
905.1
 
910.1
 
910.1
 

   1These funds are mandatory funds made available by section 402C(g) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and are not included in the fiscal year 2011 budget request.

The request for 2011 would maintain level funding for these college preparation and student support programs, which would provide funding for approximately 2,700 projects serving middle school, high school, and college students and adults. An additional $57 million in mandatory funding will provide support for another 178 Upward Bound projects. The request also includes funding for Staff Training grants, evaluation, and administrative support for the TRIO programs.

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)

  2009 2010 2011
Request
 
B.A. in millions $313.2 $323.2 $323.2

GEAR UP provides funds to States and partnerships for early college preparation and awareness activities to help low-income elementary and secondary school students prepare for and pursue postsecondary education. Several features of GEAR UP, including targeting entire grades of students, partnering with local organizations and businesses, and matching local contributions, allow projects to serve large numbers of students. The request maintains funding at the 2010 level and would serve approximately 748,000 middle and high school students in fiscal year 2011.

Scholarships and Fellowships
(B.A. in millions)

  2009 2010 2011
Request
 
Javits Fellowships 9.7 9.7 9.7
Graduate Assistance in Areas
  of National Need (GAANN)
31.0 31.0 31.0
Thurgood Marshall Legal Education Opportunity 3.0 3.0 3.0

Javits Fellowships up to 4 years of competitively awarded support to students of superior ability and high financial need who are pursuing doctoral degrees, or the highest terminal degree, in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. The request would support 218 fellowships in 2011.

GAANN provides fellowships, through competitive grants to postsecondary institutions, to graduate students with superior ability and high financial need studying in areas of national need. Participating graduate schools must provide assurances that they will seek talented students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. The 2011 request would provide support for 702 fellowships.

The Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity program provides low-income, minority, or disadvantaged secondary school and college students with the information, preparation, and financial assistance needed to gain access to and complete law school study and admission to law practice. The Administration is proposing that the funds for this program be awarded competitively in 2011.

Child Care Access Means Parents in School

  2009 2010 2011
Request
 
B.A. in millions $16.0 $16.0 $16.0

This competitive grant program supports the participation of low-income parents in postsecondary education through campus-based childcare services. Grants made to institutions of higher education must be used to supplement childcare services or start a new program, not to supplant funds for current childcare services. The program gives priority to institutions that leverage local or institutional resources and employ a sliding fee scale. The 2011 request would support 157 existing projects.

GPRA Data/HEA Program Evaluation

  2009 2010 2011
Request
 
B.A. in millions $0.6 $0.6 $0.6

The request would fund the continuation of contracts for program evaluations and data collections to measure the performance of Higher Education Act programs. In addition, funds would support one or more studies mandated by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.

Academic Facilities
(B.A. in millions)

  2009 2010 2011
Request
 
HBCU Capital Financing Program $10.4 $20.6 $20.6
CHAFL Federal Administration 0.5 0.5 0.5

These programs support the construction, reconstruction, and renovation of academic facilities at institutions of higher education. The request for the HBCU Capital Financing Program would support the management and servicing of loan guarantees on previously issued loans, and includes $20.2 million in loan subsidy that would allow the program to guarantee $279.4 million in loans in 2011. Funds also would be used to continue technical assistance services to help HBCUs to increase their fiscal stability and improve their access to capital markets.

Funding for CHAFL Federal Administration is used solely to manage and service existing portfolios of facilities loans and grants made in prior years.

Howard University
(B.A. in millions)

  2009 2010 2011
Request
 
Howard University Hospital $28.9 $28.9 $28.9
General Support 206.0 206.0 206.0
Total
235.0

235.0

235.0

The 2011 request would maintain support for Howard University's academic programs, research programs, construction activities, and the Howard University Hospital. Howard University has played a historic role in providing access to postsecondary educational opportunities for students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, especially African-Americans. The request includes $3.6 million for Howard University's endowment. The direct Federal appropriation accounts for approximately 50 percent of Howard University's operating costs.

Student Financial Assistance  Table of contents  Institute of Education Sciences

For further information contact the ED Budget Service.

This page last modified—February 1, 2010 (mjj).