Issue Brief: The Underfunding of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

This resource provides an overview of the historic underfunding of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), highlighting the policy decisions that have contributed to persistent inequities and the implications for students, institutions, and regional economies. The Hunt Institute has been engaged in elevating the issues of HBCUs for several years. This work led to the creation of the nation’s first state level HBCU Caucus in North Carolina and was quickly followed by the creation of a HBCU Caucus in GA. In the last year we have facilitated the creation of HBCU Caucuses in South Carolina and in Virginia and expect more to be created in other states. Key to the conversation with HBCUs is the historic underfunding, which is an issue that the Thurgood Marshall College Fund has highlighted for the 1890 land grant institutions. This work seeks to build on their efforts and highlight the issue for all HBCUs.