U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) joined his colleagues on the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee in proposing a bipartisan amendment to pending higher education legislation that would benefit Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions.
“North Carolina is home to more HBCUs than any other state in the nation,” Sen. Burr said. “The number one concern for HBCUs is unpredictable funding. This amendment alleviates that problem by providing certainty not just for two years, but for many years to come.”
Sen. Burr and members of the committee introduced an amendment to the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act, H.R. 2486, which was approved in September by the U.S. House of Representatives. Upon receiving the bill, the U.S. Senate referred it for consideration to the Senate HELP Committee, which is reconciling the measure with the identical S. 1279.
If enacted, the amendment to the bill would make permanent $255 million in annual funding for HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions, simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and streamline income-driven repayment for nearly eight million borrowers, according to a summary provided by the Senate HELP Committee.
Joining Sen. Burr in introducing the amendment this week were HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), and committee members U.S. Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC), Doug Jones (D-AL), and Chris Coons (D-DE).
“I applaud Chairman Alexander for leading the effort to better preserve these historic learning institutions for current and future students,” said Sen. Burr.
Among numerous provisions, the amendment also would pay for the permanent $255 million in annual mandatory funding for HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions by including the FAFSA Act, which permits students to just provide tax information once; eliminates some 22 questions for students on the FAFSA; reduces bureaucratic red tape on the form; and eliminates $6 billion in mistakes in Pell grants and student loans, according to the amendment summary.