Department of Education

HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request

CONTENTS

Page

Appropriations Language ........................................................................................................S-1

Analysis of Language Provisions and Changes.......................................................................S-2

Appropriation, Adjustments, and Transfers .............................................................................S-3

Summary of Changes .............................................................................................................S-4

Authorizing Legislation............................................................................................................S-5

Appropriations History.............................................................................................................S-6

Activities:

Howard University................................................................................................................S-7
HOWARD UNIVERSITY

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Appropriations Language

For partial support of Howard University, [$236,518,000] $221,821,000, of which not less than 

$3,405,000 shall be for a matching endowment grant pursuant to the Howard University 

Endowment Act and shall remain available until expended.

1 (Department of Education 

Appropriations Act, 2019.)

NOTE

Each language provision that is followed by a footnote reference is explained in the Analysis of Language 

Provisions and Changes document that follows the appropriations language.
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Analysis of Language Provisions and Changes

Language Provision Explanation

1 ...of which not less than $3,405,000 shall be 

for a matching endowment grant pursuant to 

the Howard University Endowment Act and 

shall remain available until expended.

This language establishes a minimum 

funding level for the endowment program. 

Endowment funds would remain available for 

obligation until expended.
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Appropriation, Adjustments, and Transfers

(dollars in thousands)

Appropriation/Adjustments/Transfers 2018 2019 2020

Discretionary:

Discretionar y budget authority: Appropriation .................................................... $232,518 $236,518 $221,821

Discretionar y budget authority: Total, discretionary appropriation.................. 232,518 236,518 221,821
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Summary of Changes

(dollars in thousands)

2019 Discretionary........................................................................ $236,518

2020 Discretionary........................................................................ 221,821

Net change................................................................... -14,697

2019 base

Change

from base

Decreases:

Program:

Decrease funding for Howard University to return the 

program to the funding level requested in the fiscal year 

2019 budget. 0 -$14,697
HOWARD UNIVERSITY

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Authorizing Legislation

(dollars in thousands)

Activity

2019

Authorized

2019

Estimate Footnote

2020

Authorized

2020

Request

General support (20 U.S.C. 121 et seq.) .................... Indefinite $209,1931 Indefinite $194,496

Endowment program (P.L. 98-480) ............................ (2) (3) (2) (3)

Howard University Hospital (20 U.S.C. 128)............... Indefinite 27,325 Indefinite 27,325

Total appropriation.............................................. 236,518 221,821

1 The University has discretion to allocate funds for activities authorized under the general statute for Howard University.

2 Title II of P.L. 98-480, the Howard University Endowment Act, authorized $2,000 thousand in fiscal year 1985 to establish an endowment 

program. Subsequent year appropriations language has authorized minimum funding levels for the endowment program under the terms and 

conditions of the Act.

3 For fiscal year 2019, the University must allocate at least $3,405 thousand for the endowment program. For fiscal year 2020, the Administration 

requests that not less than $3,405 thousand be allocated to the endowment program.
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S-6

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Appropriations History

(dollars in thousands) 

Year

Budget 

Estimate 

to Congress

House 

Allowance F

Senate 

Allowance F AppropriationF

2011 $234,977 $234,9771$234,977 $234,5072

2012 234,507 234,5073234,5073234,064

2013 234,064 234,0644234,0644221,821

2014 234,064 N/A5234,064 221,821

2015 221,821 N/A5221,8216233,245

2016 221,821 221,8217219,5007221,821

2017 221,821 221,8218221,8218221,821

2018 220,314 221,8219221,8219232,8219

2019 221,821 232,51810 236,51810 236,518

2020 221,821

1 The level for the House allowance reflects the House-passed full-year continuing resolution. 2 The level for appropriation reflects the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 

(P.L. 112-10). 3 The level for the House allowance reflects an introduced bill, and the level for the Senate allowance reflects Senate 

Committee action only.

4 The levels for the House and Senate allowances reflect action on the regular annual 2013 appropriations bill, which 

proceeded in the 112th Congress only through the House Subcommittee and the Senate Committee. 5 The House allowance is shown as N/A because there was no Subcommittee action. 6 The level for the Senate allowance reflects Senate Subcommittee action only.

7 The levels for House and Senate allowances reflect action on the regular annual 2016 appropriations bill, which 

proceeded in the 114th Congress only through the House Committee and Senate Committee. 8 The levels for the House and Senate allowances reflect Committee action on the regular annual 2017 

appropriations bill.

9 The levels for the House reflect floor action on an Omnibus appropriation bill; Senate allowances reflect Committee 

action on the regular annual 2018 appropriations bill; the Appropriation reflects the annualized Continuing Resolution 

level. 10 The levels for the House and Senate Allowance reflects Committee action on the regular annual 2019 

appropriations bill; the Appropriation reflects enactment of the Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human 

Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (P.L. 115-245).

Activities:
HOWARD UNIVERSITY

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Howard University

(20 U.S.C. 121, et seq.)

(dollars in thousands)

FY 2020 Authorization: Indefinite

Budget Authority:

Name footnote 

2019 2020 footn

ote Change footnote

General Support $209,193 1$194,4961 -$14,697

Howard University Hospital 27,325 27,325 0

Total 236,518 221,821 -$14,697

1 The University has discretion to allocate funds for activities authorized under the general statute for Howard 

University. However, the 2019 request required the University to allocate at least $3,405 thousand for the 

endowment program. The Department proposes the same language for 2020.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Howard University (University) was federally chartered in 1867 as a private, nonprofit 

educational institution in Washington, DC. As a comprehensive, research-oriented historically 

Black university, the University’s mission is to provide an educational experience of exceptional 

quality at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. The University has an enduring 

commitment to the education and advancement of underrepresented populations in America 

and the global community, and it ranks among the highest producers of the Nation’s Black 

professionals in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, nursing, architecture, religion, law, 

music, social work, and education. The National Science Foundation consistently ranks the 

University among the highest producers of Black Ph.D. students. The Association of American 

Medical Colleges recently named the University the Nation’s most prolific source of Black 

graduates who go on to apply to medical school.

The annual appropriation for Howard University provides substantial support for construction, 

development, improvement, endowment, and maintenance of the University (30 percent of 

revenues) and Howard University Hospital (11 percent of revenues). The University has 

discretion in allocating funds for its academic, research, and endowment programs, and for 

construction activities.

Academic Excellence Programs —The University offers more than 120 fields of study leading 

to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees within 13 schools and colleges: Arts and 

Sciences, Business, Communications, Dentistry, Divinity, Education, Engineering and 

Architecture, Graduate School, Law, Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Pharmacy,

and Social Work. A wide range of administrative, library, computer, and technology resources 
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and services support these programs. Together, these investments further the University’s 

goals of expanding the opportunities of graduates, particularly minorities, especially in fields in 

which they are still underrepresented.

In 2017, the University announced a new partnership with Google and launched ‘Howard West,’ 

a three-month, summer Computer Science residency for rising juniors and seniors in the 

University’s Computer Science program. The residency includes a dedicated workspace on 

Google’s Mountain View campus and a stipend to cover housing and other expenses in Silicon 

Valley. Additionally, the University launched a program entitled ‘Bison STEM Scholars’ to 

identify high-achieving entering freshmen, with a declared commitment to pursuing Ph.D. or 

M.D./Ph.D. degrees, and shepherd these students into STEM research and academic careers. 

The second cohort of these Scholars, with an average GPA of 3.80 and an average SAT score 

of 1,373, has now been enrolled at the University, raising the total of program participants to 58.

The University has also implemented summer preparatory programs to help support 

underrepresented undergraduate students from across the country who are interested in 

professional programs. The programs, which target promising students from other HBCUs,

were initiated to provide undergraduate students with exposure to professional curricula, 

preparation for professional school admissions tests (MCAT, DAT, LSAT, GRE), and 

experiential opportunities in relevant fields, including Pre-Medicine and Pre-Dentistry, 

(90 students from 6 HBCUs), Pre-Law (62 students from 22 HBCUs), and Pre-Ph.D. 

(22 students from 12 HBCUs). The programs already have resulted in admissions to the 

University’s Medical and Law schools, as well as admissions to professional schools at other 

academic institutions.

Additionally, the Office of Undergraduate Studies was created four years ago and has 

implemented a number of initiatives to support retention, progression, and success of 

undergraduate students. These initiatives include: assuring that freshmen register for at least 

15 credits each semester, improving the advisement provided to students using state-of-the-art 

academic software, providing targeted tutorial programs, increasing the maximum number of 

credits that a student may register for in a semester, and permitting undergraduate students to 

enroll in up to six credits during the summer at no additional tuition charge. Collectively, these 

initiatives have resulted in a 15 percent improvement in on-time graduation, as well as improved 

retention of undergraduate students. These efforts result in real economic savings to students 

and families by reducing tuition and other education-related costs, and ensuring that students 

benefit fully from their investment in education by obtaining a degree.

Research Programs — The University’s research programs provide support for doctoral and 

post-doctoral research in scientific disciplines, pilot studies by interdisciplinary faculty teams, 

and the purchase of laboratory equipment. In addition, they provide new faculty with start-up 

research funding and offer bridge support for externally-funded research programs. The 

Interdisciplinary Research Center concentrates on a range of emerging disciplines including 

Nanoscience, Natural Products Research, Microbial Ecology, Diversity and Immunology, 

Atmospheric Sciences, Developmental Biology, and Stem Cell Differentiation.

Endowment Program — The endowment program is designed to stimulate private 

contributions to increase the University‘s financial strength and independence. To receive 
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Federal endowment funds, the University must provide a one-for-one match through 

non-Federal contributions to the endowment. The endowment fund continues to grow by 

generating income that may be used to pay University expenses such as costs related to 

operations, maintenance, administration, personnel, construction, technical assistance, and 

research. The University may withdraw no more than 50 percent of the yearly income 

generated by the endowment to help meet operating costs, except in the case of a financial 

emergency or another unusual occurrence.

Construction — Appropriated funds may be allocated to capital construction and renovation of 

buildings to maintain and improve the University’s ability to provide high-quality postsecondary 

education and research opportunities. For example, in January 2017, the University 

commenced a $144 million public-private partnership to overhaul the campus’s largest 

residential development. This 1,850-bed complex, called “The Towers”, houses more than a 

third of the University’s residential cohort. Renovation of the first tower was completed in fall 

2017, and the second tower was completed for the fall 2018 academic session.

Howard University Hospital —Established in 1862 as Freedmen’s Hospital, Howard University 

Hospital (Hospital) was incorporated into the University by Congress in 1962. Today, the 

Hospital is a general medical and surgical facility and is designated as a Level 1 Trauma 

Center. The 241-bed hospital is one of several comprehensive health care facilities serving the 

Washington, DC metropolitan area, with over 11,000 admissions and 60,000 emergency room 

visits annually. Hospital operations are financed through a combination of Federal funds, 

hospitalization insurance, patient payments, Medicare and Medicaid payments, and contractual 

agreements for patient care services with the District of Columbia government and other local 

jurisdictions. The Hospital is also a major teaching facility, providing training opportunities 

across a wide variety of specialty areas for graduate and professional students in the health 

sciences.

Addressing Deferred Maintenance at the University — The University’s rich 150-year history 

is an asset in many respects, but operating within a single geographic footprint during that 

period means that many core buildings have long exceeded their useful lives. Deteriorating 

buildings degrade the academic experience and hamper the University’s mission. To address 

this challenge, the University is strategically densifying its Central Campus, anchored by three 

primary uses: academic complexes; campus life nodes; and campus housing offerings that are 

aligned with demand. Each of these pillars encompass a range of goals, such as advancing the 

development of specialized skills through the academic environment or delivering immersive 

experiential, social and community learning opportunities through campus life facilities. To 

realize these goals, the University will have to improve the state of its aged facilities by 

addressing significant deferred maintenance needs. The University’s capital budget to correct 

deferred maintenance will be balanced with other essential operational and mission-based 

priorities in order to achieve these goals. The article is available at the following link: 

http://washingtoninformer.com/howard-u-celebrates-150-year-legacy/.
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Funding levels for the past 5 fiscal years were:

Fiscal Year (dollars in thousands)

2015.................................................................................$221,821

2016...................................................................................221,821

2017...................................................................................221,821

2018...................................................................................232,518

2019...................................................................................236,518

FY 2020 BUDGET REQUEST

For fiscal year 2020, the Administration requests $221.8 million for Howard University (the 

University), a decrease of $14.7 million from the 2019 appropriation level and the same as the 

fiscal year 2019 request level. Within this amount, funding for the Hospital would remain at the 

2019 level of $27.3 million. This request supports the Administration’s goals to advance 

opportunities in higher education and strengthen the capacity of Historically Black Colleges and 

Universities (HBCUs) to provide the highest quality education. As a congressionally-chartered 

HBCU, the University plays an important role in providing disadvantaged individuals, particularly 

Blacks and African Americans, with access to a high-quality postsecondary education.

According to the University, the Federal appropriation constituted approximately 30 percent of 

the University’s total revenues and 11 percent of the Howard University Hospital’s (Hospital) 

total revenues in fiscal year 2018. In order to maintain current levels of educational and 

healthcare services, approximately $194.5 million of the fiscal year 2020 request would be 

allocated under General Support to the University, and $27.3 million would go to the Hospital. 

General Support includes the University’s academic programs, research programs, endowment 

program, and construction.

Academic Programs: The request would provide approximately $72.7 million to support

instruction, $7.5 million for public service program services, $27 million for academic support, 

$25.6 million for student services, and $58.7 million for institutional support and grant aid to 

students.

Endowment Program: The 2020 request also would provide at least $3.4 million for the 

University’s endowment, and the University would be required to match this contribution on a 

dollar-for-dollar basis. The Administration believes earmarking a minimum dollar level to be 

allocated for the endowment will continue to encourage the University to increase its financial 

strength and independence from Federal support and independence from Federal support. The

University maintains a pooled endowment that is comprised of more than 800 individual

endowments that were valued at $647 million as of June 30, 2017. Revenue earned through

the consolidated endowment program is intended to be used for instructional and research

support, professorships, scholarships and other forms of student aid, and facilities. In recent 

years, the University has matched all Federal funds appropriated for endowment purposes in the

fiscal year in which they were appropriated. The University plans to match all endowment funds

appropriated in fiscal year 2020.
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According to a study published in February 2017 by the National Association of College and

University Business Officers (NACUBO), Howard University’s total endowment value ranked

136 out of 815 participating institutions for the 2016 Commonfund Study of Endowments. The 

results from the study show that participating institutions’ endowments returned an average of 

-1.9 percent (net of fees) for the 2016 fiscal year, highlighting a very difficult investment 

environment. Despite the decline in investment gains, 74 percent of respondents reported they 

increased the dollars spent from their endowments this year to support their institution’s 

mission and provide financial aid to students.

According to the University, the spending rate for the endowment is 5 percent of a restricted 

donor endowment pool based on market value, using a three-year moving average with a one 

year lag. The University is currently reviewing its investment and spending policies going 

forward and looking for opportunities to increase the annual spending to continue its support of 

these mission critical goals.

Howard University Hospital: The Administration’s request includes $27.3 million for the

Hospital. Federal support for the Hospital provides the University’s students with education, 

research and training opportunities in medical, dental, and other health-related fields. As of

October 2014, Paladin Healthcare assumed responsibility for day-to-day operations of the

Hospital under the oversight of a joint University and Paladin Healthcare Management

Committee. Under this signed Management Service Agreement, the University continues to be

the licensed operator of the Hospital.

The University is actively considering options to separate the University and Howard University 

Hospital as legal entities with a detailed academic affiliation agreement. A successful outcome 

from such an agreement will enable the University to better manage its risk exposure while 

preserving the Hospital’s role as an academic medical center, closely tied to the University, and 

operating in support of the University’s mission as an educator of medical and other health care 

students. Such an affiliation would permit Hospital activities that that draw from the University’s 

federal appropriation to maintain this source of capital. At this time, no decision to separate the 

University and the Hospital has been made, and no authorization to separate has been sought 

from or given by the University’s Trustees.

Research Programs: In fiscal year 2018, the University dedicated $41.8 million to research

programs, though the Federal appropriation was not a source of funding in this area. The

University does not plan to allocate any of the Federal appropriation for research in fiscal year

2019 and 2020.

Construction: In fiscal year 2018, the University allocated $3.5 million of the Federal 

appropriation for construction.
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PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES 

Output Measures 2018 F

o

2019 o2020

Student population by enrollment (in whole numbers):

Number of full-time undergraduate students 5,832 6,159 6,480

Number of full-time graduate students 1,140 1,242 1,130

Number of full-time professional students 1,486 1,442 1,444

Total number of full-time students 8,458 8,847 9,196

Total number of undergraduate students 6,547 6,934 7,645

Total number of graduate students 1,627 1,766 1,729

Total number of professional students 1,515 1,550 1,541

Total number of students 9,689 10,127 11,016

Student population by race (in whole numbers):

Number of Black U.S. undergraduate students 5,838 6,271 6,941

Number of other U.S. undergraduate students 237 223 297

Number of international undergraduate students 472 556 546

Number of Black U.S. graduate students 1,226 1,108 1,069

Number of other U.S. graduate students 162 155 141

Number of international graduate students 239 230 272

Number of Black U.S. professional students 1,111 1,010 1,119

Number of other U.S. professional students 339 351 366

Number of international professional students 65 67 71

Student population by family income (in whole numbers):

Number of undergraduates with family income of 

less than $40,000 11,275 9,259 9,259

Number of graduate students with family income of 

less than $40,000 1,901 1,357 1,357

Number of professional students with family 

income of less than $40,000 2,433 2,010 2,010

Undergraduate student financial aid (in whole 

number and dollars):

Number of U.S. students receiving Federal aid 2,994 4,462 4,462

 Average amount of aid U.S. students recei ving Feder al aid $27,661 $16,550 $16,550

Number of U.S. students receiving non-Fed’l aid 2,143 4,228 4,228

 Average amount of aid U.S. students recei ving non-Fed’l ai d $39,741 $20,513 $20,513

Number of international students receiving nonFed’l aid 376 583 583

 Average amount of aid foreign students recei ving non-Fed’l ai d $29,486 $25,614 $25,614

NOTE: Howard University has provided all data, which is based on the University’s July 1 to June 30 academic year.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY

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PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES

Output Measures 2018 Fo2019 Fo2020

Graduate student financial aid (in whole numbers 

and dollars):

Number of U.S. students receiving Federal aid 531 838 838

Average amount of aid U.S. students r ecei ving Feder al aid $43,443 $33,411 $33,411

Number of U.S. students receiving non-Fed’l aid 262 429 429

Average amount of aid U.S. students r ecei ving non-Fed’l ai d $30,662 $16,004 $16,004

Number of international students receiving 

non-Fed’l aid 79 263 263

Average amount of aid foreign students recei ving non-Fed’l aid $25,868 $18,260 $18,260

Professional student financial aid (in whole numbers 

and dollars):

Number of U.S. students receiving Federal aid 751 1,296 1,296

Average amount of aid U.S. students r ecei ving Feder al aid $72,105 $59,175 $59,175

Number of U.S. students receiving non-Fed’l aid 241 547 547

Average amount of aid U.S. students r ecei ving non-Fed’l ai d $46,003 $16,377 $16,377

Number of international students receiving 

non-Fed’l aid 30 48 48

Average amount of aid foreign students recei ving non-Fed’l aid $31,632 $30,217 $30,217

Degrees awarded by type and race (in whole 

numbers):

Baccalaureates awarded to Black U.S. students 1,086 1,273 1,142

Baccalaureates awarded to other U.S. students 53 62 75

Baccalaureates awarded to international students 90 78 49

Total number of Baccalaureates awarded 1,229 1,343 1,265

Masters awarded to Black U.S. students 257 277 226

Masters awarded to other U.S. students 27 28 32

Masters awarded to international students 30 43 31

Total number of Masters awarded 314 343 307

Ph.D.s awarded to Black U.S. students 65 83 73

Ph.D.s awarded to other U.S. students 5 6 11

Ph.D.s awarded to international students 21 12 21

Total number of Ph.D.s awarded 91 126 100

NOTE: Howard University has provided all data, which is based on the University’s July 1 to June 30 academic year.
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PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES

Output Measures 2018 Fo2019 Fo2020

Degrees awarded by type and race (in whole numbers):

Professional degrees awarded to Black students 284 297 266

Professional degrees awarded to other U.S. 

students 96 90 68

Professional degrees awarded to international 

students 18 17 11

Total number of Professional degrees awarded 398 387 363

Faculty (in whole numbers):

Number of paid faculty 1,229 1,184 1,190

Number of faculty serving without compensation 22 20 20

Total number of faculty 1,251 1,204 1,210

Construction (dollars in thousands):

Construction expenditures $61,637 $50,000 $35,303

Endowment program (dollars in thousands):

Federal appropriation Endowment program : Endowment pr ogram $3,4051$3,4051$3,4051

Matching funds + other funds raised by University Endowment 

program : Endowment program Endo wment p rogram

32,991 N/A N/A

Total new contributions: E Endowment pr ogram : Endowment pr ogram endo wment prog ram 36,396 3,405 3,405

Market value of total University endowment 681,474 725,770 772,945

Endowment investment income 22,197 23,462 24,524

Investment income as percent of endowment 3.1% 3.2% 3.2%

Howard University General Support (dollars in 

thousands):

Federal appropriation Howard Universit y General Sup port $205,1931$209,1931$194,4961

Other Federal funding Howard Universit y Gen eral Supp ort 32,230 31,720 31,720

Total Federal funding Howard Universit y General Supp ort 247,423 240,913 226,216

Restricted non-Federal revenue Howard Universit y General Support 25,435 23,639 23,876

Revenue from tuition and fees Howard Universit y Gen eral Support 260,740 258,391 260,975

Other non-Federal revenue Howard Universit y General Support 145,296 127,851 128,293

Total non-Federal revenue Howard Universit y General Support 431,471 409,881 413,144

Total University revenue Ho ward Univ ersit y General Su pport 668,894 650,794 639,360

Total University expenditures Howard Universit y General Supp ort 666,556 691,397 694,684

Federal funding as percent of total revenue 35.5% 37.0% 35.4%

Tuition and fees as percent of total revenue 39.0% 39.7% 40.8%

Federal appropriation as percent of total revenue 30.7% 32.1% 30.4%

NOTE: Howard University has provided all data, which is based on the University's July 1 to June 30 academic year.

1 Federal funding for the Howard endowment program ($3,405 thousand) is drawn from the appropriation for Howard 

University General Support.
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PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES

Output Measures 2018 Fo2019 Fo2020

Howard University Hospital (dollars in thousands):

Federal appropriation Howard Universit y H ospital $27,325 $27,325 $27,325

Other Federal funding Howard Universit y Hospital 60,309 66,713 67,380

Total Federal funding Howard Universit y Hospit al 87,634 94,038 94,705

Total Hospital revenue Howard Univ ersit y Hospital 250,953 283,290 283,574

Total Hospital expenditures Howard Universit y Hospital 247,290 265,897 271,215

Federal appropriation as percent of total 

revenue 10.9% 9.6% 9.6%

NOTE: Howard University has provided all data, which is based on the University's July 1 to June 30 academic year.

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Performance Measures

This section presents selected program performance information, including, for example, GPRA 

goals, objectives, measures, and performance targets and data; and an assessment of the 

progress made toward achieving program results. Achievement of program results is based on 

the cumulative effect of the resources provided in previous years and those requested in fiscal 

year 2020 and future years, as well as the resources and efforts invested by those served by 

this program. 

Goal: To assist Howard University with financial resources needed to carry out its 

educational mission.

Objective: Maintain or increase the undergraduate graduation rate.

Measure: The percentage of first-time, full-time, degree-seeking, undergraduate students who 

graduate within 6 years of enrollment.

Year Target Actual

2015 70 61%

2016 70 61

2017 70 63

2018 70

2019 70

2020 70

Additional Information: This measure defines the graduation rate as completion of a 4-year 

degree within 6 years of enrollment at the University. The measure uses data taken from the 

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) database maintained by the 
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National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) rather than directly from the University.

Previous years in this table have been updated to reflect actual IPEDS reporting. 

The long-term goal is to increase Howard University's graduation rate. According to the IPEDS 

data, in 1998, the graduation rate for Howard University was only 41 percent, but by 2003, it had 

significantly increased to 69 percent. Since then, Howard’s graduation rate has declined, and 

has hovered around 60 percent. 

Objective: Maintain or increase the retention of full-time undergraduate students.

Measure: The percentage of first-time, full-time, degree-seeking, undergraduate students who 

were in their first year of postsecondary enrollment in the previous year and are enrolled in the 

current year.

Year Target Actual

2015 90% 89%

2016 90 86

2017 90 94

2018 90

2019 90

2020 90

Additional Information: The long-term goal is to increase the percentage of first-time, full-time 

students who return for their second year of undergraduate education. Data from IPEDS 

showed Howard University’s persistence rate steadily dropped beginning in 2007, when it 

dipped to 85 percent after multiple years at 90. The rate fell further through 2014 before 

improving in 2015, decreasing in 2016, and rebounding to exceed the target in 2017. 

Objective: Increase student enrollment over the long term.

Measure: The number of full-time, degree-seeking, undergraduate and graduate students 

enrolled at Howard University.

Year Target Actual

2015 12,000 9,029

2016 12,000 8,717

2017 12,000 8,614

2018 10,000

2019 10,000

2020 10,000

Additional Information: This measure utilizes data provided by Howard University. Combined 

enrollment of degree-seeking undergraduates and graduates at the University has remained 

around 9,000 students annually since fiscal year 2012 but decreased by 3.5 percent in fiscal 

year 2016. The University experienced significant difficulties accommodating the large 

enrollment in 2015 and subsequently recognized the need to better balance enrollment and 

capacity. 
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Efficiency Measures

The efficiency measure tracks the cost of a successful outcome, where success is defined as 

graduation and Federal cost is defined as the program appropriation. This measure ties in with 

the program’s performance indicators. 

Measure: Federal cost of degrees and certificates awarded by Howard University.

Year Target Actual

2015 88,000 $88,127

2016 88,000 97,073

2017 88,000 95,478

2018 88,000

2019 88,000

2020 88,000

Additional Information: The efficiency measure is calculated by dividing the total funds 

appropriated for Howard (exclusive of Hospital funding) by the number of students successfully 

completing degree or certificate programs. This measure allows the Department to track 

program performance in terms of cost to the Federal Government and the efficiency of Federal 

funds in achieving successful outcomes. With the exception of 2015, the Federal cost per 

degree or certificate awarded has remained well above the target, in part due to the declining 

enrollment noted above. As a result of the decreased enrollment at the University, the 

Department will consider revising targets for future years. 

A similar efficiency measure has been established for the higher education programs authorized 

under Titles III and V of the Higher Education Act, as well as for Gallaudet University and the 

National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

Other Performance Information

Howard University's 2016 Financial Statement and Uniform Guidance Single Audit Report, 

Subpart F (OMB Circular A-133 Audit Report) both earned unmodified statuses noting that the 

financial statements were prepared in accordance to GAAP and the Single Audit Report was 

compiled in accordance with federal statutes, regulations, terms and conditions, although 

significant deficiencies were cited. 

Howard University's Uniform Guidance Single Audit Report received no questioned costs and 

corrective action plans are being executed to eliminate the Single Audit Report significant 

deficiencies. Policies and procedures are currently being updated in accordance to the new 

Uniform Guidance and Grants and Contracts Internal Control Management documents are in 

place to mediate any risks regarding compliance. 
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Audit findings resulting from the significant deficiencies included the following clusters: Student 

Financial Assistance, Research and Development, Highway Planning and Construction, USAID 

Foreign Assistance Programs and the Charles Rangel International Affairs Program.

In October 2014, based on a deliberate plan set forth by the University trustees' health sciences 

committee, Paladin Healthcare was contracted to assist with a turnaround of the Hospital. 

Paladin assumed responsibility for day-to-day operations of the Hospital under the oversight of 

a joint University and Paladin Management Committee. Under this signed Management Service 

Agreement, the University continues to be the licensed operator of the Hospital. The partnership 

has been successful, exceeding almost every goal set forth when the relationship was 

established, as demonstrated by the following metrics: 

• Financial performance has vastly improved, and the hospital is now profitable and stable; 

• Emergency department length of stay has decreased by more than 20 percent; 

• Time to triage has decreased by 78 percent;

• Costs per adjusted patient day have decreased;

• Patient satisfaction scores related to communication with nurses, physicians, and 

recommendation of the hospital to others have improved significantly; 

• Howard University Hospital is one of 90 hospitals in the country certified by The Joint 

Commission in Disease Specific Diabetes care. 

The University claimed its strongest financial performance in five years in fiscal year 2016, with 

a gain from operations of almost $12 million for the year ending June 30, 2016. According to 

the University, operating revenues stabilized compared to fiscal year 2015, due to improved 

fiscal management and increases in operating efficiencies, namely costs associated with 

employment.

During fiscal year 2017, the University created a University Budget Office to focus on improved 

revenue projections, multi-year financial forecasts, and intra-year and year-end projections at 

the enterprise level and at the Accountable Unit level. In an effort to provide managers with 

tools needed to monitor finances and ensure accountability and compliance, the University 

engaged Oracle Consulting in October 2016, to create monthly financial reports for University 

accountable unit managers, including revenue and expense reports, position and headcount 

reports, vendor spending reports, and restricted funds. Additionally, the University is seeking to 

improve forecasting models for enrollment, financial aid packaging, and net tuition revenue 

realization. The Department will work with the University in fiscal years 2019 and 2020, to 

determine what impact, if any, these initiatives had on the institution's financial standing, as well 

as enrollment patterns and graduation rates. In addition, the Department will analyze the effects 

of these initiatives over longer periods of time.
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The University has recently undertaken efforts to monetize certain non-core real estate assets. 

The gains from these transactions are primarily intended for capital investments and debt 

reduction. The University has also filled several key senior management positions with 

permanent hires to replace and/or confirm interim managers hired to address turnover in the 

recent past. These actions have enabled the University to generate better capability and focus 

on improving fiscal operations.

Despite recent improvements and institutional enhancements, the Department has ongoing 

concerns about Howard’s overall financial health and stability. Recent (April and August 2018) 

Washington Post articles described numerous challenges facing the University:

• https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2018/04/09/howard-universityreveals-that-terminated-employees-misappropriated-369000/?utm_term=.1328e4184385,

• https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2018/08/29/big-trouble-howard-universitydevoss-education-department-puts-it-list-it-doesnt-want-be/?utm_term=.4a1a8e64ae97, and

• https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/federal-government-tightens-control-ofhoward-universitys-aid-funds-after-reported-lapses/2018/08/28/1c3233f8-aafa-11e8-b1daff7faa680710_story.html?utm_term=.eb55b6901001

In a letter dated August 13, 2018, the Department informed the University that it had been 

placed on Heightened Cash Monitoring 2 (HCM2) status so that the Department can closely 

monitor the institution’s financial aid management. This means the University will no longer 

receive financial aid dollars in advance to award to students but will have to make awards to 

students and then seek reimbursement from the Federal Government. The Department’s letter 

cited numerous problems that prompted this action and noted that Howard had “failed to provide 

all documentation requested” during past compliance audits and a recent program review. 

The Department will continue working with leadership to stabilize the University’s financial 

condition in fiscal year 2019 and 2020 to ensure continued improvements in financial and 

operational management and full compliance in regards to the Federal appropriation.