Below are key solutions that must be implemented:

1. Seek Immediate Clarification on Federal Grants

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of Education must provide clear and transparent guidance on the status of federal grants essential to HBCUs. Funding sources like Title III (Strengthening HBCUs), TRIO (college readiness programs), and Pell Grant Campus-Based Aid are at risk, and institutions need immediate clarity to plan and allocate resources effectively.

✅ Action Required: Congress should demand a full review and public disclosure of how funding freezes impact HBCUs and push for immediate reinstatement of halted grant disbursements.

2. Advocate for HBCU Exemptions from Discretionary Grant Freezes

HBCUs serve a unique and historically marginalized student population, many of whom are low-income, first-generation college students. Given this, HBCUs should be exempt from any discretionary funding freezes or cuts that disproportionately affect these institutions.

✅ Action Required: Congress must introduce and pass legislation that exempts HBCUs from grant freezes, ensuring uninterrupted access to critical federal resources.

3. Support Legislative Protections for HBCU Funding

HBCUs require long-term financial stability to continue their mission of serving historically underrepresented students. Without strong legislative protections, these institutions remain vulnerable to unpredictable funding changes that threaten college readiness, student success, and institutional growth.

✅ Action Required: Congress should enact permanent protections for HBCU funding, ensuring that:

• Title III and TRIO programs receive continuous, reliable funding
• Workforce training and research grants are prioritized for HBCUs
• HBCU-specific funding streams cannot be arbitrarily reduced or eliminated

4. Engage Directly with HBCU Leadership for Local Impact Solutions

To fully understand the direct consequences of funding freezes, Congress must engage with HBCU presidents, faculty, and student leaders. These discussions will highlight critical funding gaps and help develop contingency funding solutions to sustain student programs, scholarships, and infrastructure.

✅ Action Required: Legislators must:

• Hold regular listening sessions with HBCU leadership
• Work with private sector partners and foundations to identify alternative funding streams
• Establish an HBCU Congressional Task Force to monitor funding stability and advocate for new investments