Early this week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order freezing most federal grants and loans. Since this announcement, HBCUs and many other organizations have been left wondering how they pay their bills without proper funding. Before this funding freeze, HBCUs had not received proper funding compared to other universities.
Along with thousands of colleges and universities, thousands of students and parents are concerned about how they will pay for school following the freeze. Many people were concerned about the status of Pell Grants, student loans, and other forms of funding such as Parent Plus Loans, but the Department of Education released a statement stating that federal student aid and work-study programs would not be impacted.
“The temporary pause does not impact assistance received directly by individuals,” said Madison Biedermann, a spokesperson for the Department of Education.
American Baptist College President Forrest Harris expressed his concerns about the future of his institution and others in comments from higher education leaders obtained by News Channel 5
“It’s sending a message across the country that these institutions are at risk in terms of federal support,” he said.
“Most HBCUs, most of us if not all, receive Title III funding to support education initiatives that deal with academic excellence and helping us support students through Pell Grants and other kinds of academic services,” he added.
John Vile, professor of political science and dean of the University Honors College at Middle Tennessee State University,also expressed his thoughts regarding the funding freeze.
“He’s written out a lot of executive orders. Many of them seem to be more for publicity’s sake than for actually what they’re going to accomplish,” Vile said.
“If the substance remains and not the memo, then undoubtedly that will probably be addressed in this court issue,” Vile said. “If the order itself has been rescinded, then I don’t think there’s going to be standing for somebody to challenge it.”
