WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today reauthorized funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and other minority serving institutions (MSIs) by passing the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act, a bill cosponsored by U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker. Menendez, who attended one of New Jersey’s HSIs, and Booker, whose parents both attended HBCUs had urged Senate leadership to restore funding after it expired September 30.

“The critical funding for Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority Serving Institutions should have never lapsed. Today we’re taking an important step towards not only restoring this funding, but making it permanent,” Sen. Menendez said. “As the proud product of what is now recognized as one of New Jersey’s HSIs, I understand the importance of these institutions for the overall success of minority communities and the impact they have in bringing up the next generation of leaders.”

“After allowing this funding to expire in September, today, the Senate has rightfully acted to restore a vital lifeline to our nation’s HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and MSIs,” Sen. Booker said. “These institutions give their students a uniquely tailored educational experience that has proven life changing. I am standing here today, able to champion legislation like this, because of the education my parents received at HBCUs. My father was able to lift himself out of poverty and into the middle class after attending North Carolina Central University. This changed the course of history for my family and I am thrilled that today’s students will have that same opportunity at one of the thirteen MSIs in New Jersey or the hundreds across the country.”

HBCUs are institutions established prior to 1964 with the principal mission of educating Black Americans. Across the country, there are over 100 accredited HBCUs, both public and private, in 19 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nearly 20-percent of African-American college graduates attended HBCUs.

Defined as degree-granting institutions where total Hispanic enrollment constitutes no less than 25% of the total enrollment, HSIs play a critical role in educating Hispanic youth and improving the communities in which they are located. There are 523 HSIs in 25 states and Puerto Rico with emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions located in 35 States and the District of Columbia.

New Jersey is home to the following 13 Hispanic-serving institutions and Predominantly Black Institutions, which received $47 million in federal funding last fiscal year:

  • Bergen Community College
  • Bloomfield College
  • Essex County College
  • Fairleigh Dickinson University
  • Felician University
  • Hudson County Community College
  • Kean University
  • Middlesex County College
  • Montclair State University
  • New Jersey City University
  • Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark Campus
  • Saint Peter's University
  • Union County College
  • William Paterson University