Washington, D.C.—Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced the extension of the application deadline for the FY 2020 Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Grant Competition from February 10, 2020 to February 24, 2020. In the 2020 final spending bill, Congressman Cuellar secured over $313.9 million for Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), a $69.1 million increase from FY19.

“The number of Hispanic students pursuing higher education has exploded. Between 2000 and 2015, the college-going rate among Hispanic high school graduates grew from 22 to 37 percent. However, these high rates of college enrollment are not translating into degree completion,” said Congressman Cuellar. “For this reason, I worked hard to secure additional funding for Hispanic Serving Institutions so they can continue to do their critical work in bolstering enrollment, retention, and graduation rates of Hispanic students. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I am committed to supporting and funding HSIs who help the next generation pursue the American dream. I encourage all institutions that are eligible to apply and reach out to my office for support.”

To apply for funding from FY 2020 Developing HSIs (Title V, Part A) Program, click here.

Securing Millions for Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs)

Congressman Cuellar secured $150 million for the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program, a $26 million increase from FY19. The DHSI Program provides grants to help Hispanic Serving Institutions to expand educational opportunities and to improve educational attainment for Hispanic students.

In the final spending bill, Congressman Cuellar also secured $30 million for Title V, Part B, the Promote Post Baccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans Program, a $18.9 million increase from FY19. This program works to expand and improve postbaccalaureate academic offerings at HSIs.

The Congressman secured $45 million for the National Science Foundation’s HSI program, a $5 million increase from FY19. This program invests in projects that improve the quality of undergraduate STEM education at HSIs as well as increases retention and graduation rates for STEM students at HSIs.

To strengthen the ability of Hispanic-Serving Institutions to carry out higher education programs in the food and agricultural sciences, Congressman Cuellar secured $11.2 million for Education grants for Hispanic Serving Institutions in the Department of Agriculture. This grant program aims to attract students and produce graduates who advance our country’s food and agricultural scientific and professional work force.

Congressman Cuellar secured over $52.7 million for the Department of Defense’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions (DoD HBCU/MSI) Program, a $12.3 million increase from FY19. The DoD HBCU/MSI program enhances work in scientific and engineering disciplines critical to national security, improves the capacity of HBCUs/MSIs to participate in DoD research programs, and increases the number of graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Lastly, the Congressman secured $25 million for the Minority Serving Institution Partnerships Program (MSIPP) at the Department of Energy (DOE), a $5 million increase from FY19. The MSIPP is focused on building a job pipeline from minority-serving institutions that have STEM offerings to DOE labs and work sites.

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