Timeline

New awards were made in FY 2009 for a six-year period.
No appropriation in FY 2017, therefore no grant competition.

Tips and Assistance

The HEOA requires that an eligible institution desiring an HBCU master's program grant submit an application containing such information as the Secretary may require. The application must demonstrate how the grant funds would be used to improve graduate educational opportunities for African American students and low-income students and lead to these students' greater financial independence.

An institution may use an amount equal to not more than ten percent of the institution's grant for the development of a new qualified master's degree program.

Matching Requirement

In order to receive a grant in excess of $1,000,000, an institution must provide assurances that fifty (50) percent of the cost of the purposes for which the grant is made will be paid from non-Federal sources. However, the institution is not required to match any portion of the first $1,000,000 of the institution's award from the Secretary. After funds are made available to each eligible institution under the program funding rules, the HEOA requires that the Secretary distribute, on a pro rata basis, any amounts which an institution cannot use due to the failure to meet the matching requirements to those institutions complying with the matching requirement.

Duration of Grants

The HEOA requires that an HBCU master's program grant is for a period of not more than six years but may be periodically renewed for a period to be determined by the Secretary.

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