Department of Education

M. GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Request

CONTENTS

Page

Appropriations Language..........................................................................................................M-1

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

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

Summary of Changes ...............................................................................................................M-4

Authorizing Legislation..............................................................................................................M-5

Appropriations History...............................................................................................................M-6

Activity:

Gallaudet University............................................................................................................M-7
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

M-1

Appropriations Language

For the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, the Model Secondary School for the 

Deaf, and the partial support of Gallaudet University under titles I and II of the Education of the 

Deaf Act of 1986, [$140,361,000] $143,361,000: Provided, That from the total amount 

available, the University may at its discretion use funds for the endowment program as 

authorized under section 207 of such Act.1 (Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2021.)

NOTE

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

Provisions and Changes document which follows the appropriation language.
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

M-2

Analysis of Language Provisions and Changes

Language Provision Explanation

1... Provided, That from the total amount 

available, the University may at its discretion 

use funds for the endowment program as 

authorized under section 207 of such Act.

This language provides authority for the 

University to use funds from the general 

appropriation for the Endowment Grant 

program.
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

M-3

Appropriation, Adjustments, and Transfers

(dollars in thousands)

Appropriation/Adjustments/Transfers 2020 2021 2022

Discretionary:

Discretionary budget authority: Appropriation ............................................................. $137,361 $140,361 $143,361

Discretionary budget authority: Supplemental, CARES Act (P.L. 116-136) ................ 7,000 0 0

Discretionary budget authority: Supplemental, CRRSA Act (P.L. 116-260)................ 0 11,000 0

Discretionary budget authority: Total, discretionary appropriation............................ 144,361 151,361 143,361

Mandatory:

Mandatory budget authority: Supplemental, ARP Act (P.L. 117-02)........................ 0 19,250 0

Mandatory budget authority: Total, mandatory appropriation ............................... 0 19,250 0

Total, discretionary and mandatory appropriation ... 144,361 170,611 143,361
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

M-4

Summary of Changes

(dollars in thousands)

2021.................................................................................................... $140,361

2021 Supplemental, CRRSA Act (P.L. 116-260) (non-add)............... (11,000)

2021 Mandatory Supplemental, ARP Act (P.L. 117-02) (non-add).... (19,250)

2022................................................................................................... 143,361

Net change .................................................................. +3,000

Increases: 2021 base

Change 

from base

Program:

Increase in funding for Gallaudet to cover increased operational 

costs.

$140,361 +$3,000

Subtotal, increases +3,000
M. GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

M-5

M-5

Authorizing Legislation

(dollars in thousands)

Activity

2021

Authorized

2021

Estimate

2022

Authorized

2022

Request

University programs (EDA l-A)............................................... 01 $140,361 To be determined1 $143,361

Elementary and Secondary Education programs (EDA I-A).. 01 (2) To be determined1 (2)

Construction (EDA l-103)....................................................... 01 0 To be determined1 0

Endowment grant (EDA ll-207) .............................................. 01 (2) To be determined1 (2)

Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting (EDA II-205)................ 01 0 To be determined1 0

Total annual appropriation ............................................... 140,361 143,361

Portion of the request subject to reauthorization.............. 143,361

1 The GEPA extension expired September 30, 2015. Reauthorizing legislation is sought for fiscal year 2022. 2 Funding for the Elementary and Secondary Education programs and Endowment Grant program is provided together with funding for operations through a single 

appropriations amount. The University determines the split between the University programs, Elementary and Secondary Education programs, and the 

Endowment Grant program.
N. GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

M-6

Appropriations History

(dollars in thousands)

Year

Budget 

Estimate 

to Congress

House 

Allowance Footnote

Senate 

Allowance Footnote AppropriationFootnote

2013 $117,541 $125,5161 $125,0001 $118,951

2014 117,541 N/A2 118,5413 119,000

2015 119,000 N/A2 121,5503 120,275

2016 120,275 121,2754 120,2754 121,275

2017 121,275 121,2755 121,2755 121,275

2018 120,451 128,0006 121,2756 128,0006

2019 121,275 134,3617 133,0007 134,3617

2020 121,275 138,361 136,3618 137,3618

2020 Supplemental, CARES 

Act (P.L. 116-136) 0 0 0 7,0009

2021 137,361 139,861 140,36110 140,36110

2021 Supplemental, CRRSA 

Act (P.L. 116-260) 0 0 0 11,00011

2021 Mandatory Supplemental, 

ARP Act (P.L. 117-02) 0 0 0 19,25012

2022 143,361

1 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. 2 The House allowance is shown as N/A because there was no Subcommittee action. 3 The level for the Senate allowance reflects Senate Subcommittee action only.

4 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. 5 The levels for the House and Senate allowances reflect Committee action on the regular annual 2017 appropriations bill.

6 The level for the House allowance reflects floor action on the Omnibus appropriations bill; the Senate allowance reflects 

Committee action on the regular annual 2018 appropriations bill; the Appropriation reflects the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 

2018 (P.L. 115-141). 7 The levels for House and Senate allowances reflect 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). 8 The Senate allowance reflects the Chairman’s mark; the Appropriation reflects the Further Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2020 

(P.L. 116-94). 9 The Appropriation reflects the supplemental funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (P.L. 116-136). 10 The level for the Senate Allowance reflects the Chairman’s mark; the Appropriation reflects Division H of the Consolidated 

Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260). 11 The Appropriation reflects supplemental funds from Division M of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260). 12 The Appropriation reflects the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-02).
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

University

M-7

Gallaudet University

(Education of the Deaf Act, Title I, Part A and Section 207)

(dollars in thousands)

FY 2022 Authorization: To be determined1

Budget Authority:

2021

Appropriation

2022 

Request

Change from 

2021 to 2022 

Annual Appropriation $140,361 $143,361 +$3,000

Supplemental Appropriation, CRRSA Act (P.L. 

116-260)

11,000 0 -11,000

Mandatory Supplemental Appropriation, ARP 

Act (P.L. 117-02)

19,250 0 -19,250

1 The GEPA extension expired September 30, 2015; reauthorizing legislation is sought for fiscal year 2022.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Gallaudet University (University) is a private, nonprofit institution of higher education (IHE) 

located in Washington, DC. The University received its Federal charter in 1864, and since has 

sought to provide high-quality, bilingual (American Sign Language and English) undergraduate, 

graduate, and continuing education programs for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, and for 

hearing students wishing to pursue careers in fields related to deafness. 

The University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Undergraduate students can choose from more than 40 areas of study leading to a Bachelor of 

Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. Program offerings, including pre-law, pre-medicine, prearchitecture, and pre-business, are designed to increase the number of deaf and hard of 

hearing individuals who enter these professions. Graduate programs are open to deaf, hard of 

hearing, and hearing students and include programs leading to Master of Arts and Master of 

Science degrees, specialist degrees, certificates, and doctoral degrees. To increase the 

effectiveness of its instructional programs, the University also offers communications training, 

counseling, and other support services for the campus community. 

Research is a key component of Gallaudet’s mission as a university and is a major goal in the 

current Gallaudet Strategic Plan. Major grant support goes toward research, development, and 

training programs in visual language and learning; access to communication for deaf and hard 

of hearing people in healthcare; advocacy efforts undertaken by parents and caregivers of color
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

M-8

to ensure their deaf or hard of hearing children’s educational needs are met; and technology 

assessment.

Hearing Undergraduate Students (HUGS) Program: Gallaudet implemented the HUGS pilot in 

2000 to enroll a limited number of hearing students into this undergraduate program. Under a

2013 agreement with the Department that was in place for 5 years, incoming hearing students 

could not exceed 8 percent of each year’s total number of newly enrolled undergraduate 

students at Gallaudet, but online programs were exempt from this cap. Beginning in 2020, under 

a modified agreement with Gallaudet, incoming hearing students on-campus and in the Online 

Degree Completion Program may not exceed 8 percent of each year’s total number of newly 

enrolled undergraduate students. 

The 69 degree-seeking HUGS (63 on-campus and 6 online) in fall 2020 represented 6.8 percent 

of the undergraduate enrollment at the University. As of fall 2020, a total of 110 hearing 

students were enrolled in undergraduate programs.

Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center: Gallaudet University also operates the Laurent 

Clerc National Deaf Education Center (Clerc Center), which includes two accredited 

demonstration schools serving deaf and hard of hearing elementary and secondary students: 

the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES) and the Model Secondary School for the 

Deaf (MSSD). The Clerc Center maintains and operates KDES and MSSD for the primary 

purpose of improving the quality of education afforded to deaf and hard of hearing students by 

developing, evaluating, and disseminating innovative curricula, instructional techniques and 

strategies, and other materials that can be used in a variety of educational environments. 

Through its National Mission programs, the Clerc Center is responsible for conducting research 

related to deaf education and for providing training and technical assistance to professionals 

and families around the country. 

Program Operations: In fiscal year 2020, Federal funding represented approximately two-thirds 

of Gallaudet’s total annual revenue. Roughly 75 percent of the Federal appropriation was used 

for university-level instructional programs, research programs, outreach programs, and the 

regional partnership (described below), with the remainder used for Clerc Center activities. 

Federal funding for the Clerc Center represented nearly 100 percent of total estimated funding 

for KDES and MSSD.

Federal Endowment Grant Program: The Federal Endowment Grant Program is designed to 

assist in meeting the future needs of Gallaudet University by producing a growing independent 

source of revenue for the University. As of September 30, 2020, the value of the Federal 

Endowment Grant Program corpus, including Federal, private, and reinvested funds, was 

$73.6 million, the same as it was the prior fiscal year. The University does not intend to use any 

of its appropriation to match Endowment Grant funds in fiscal year 2021.

Other Revenue: In addition to the direct Federal appropriation, Gallaudet’s non-Federal revenue 

includes interest from the Federal Endowment Grant program, revenue from grants and 

contracts, and student tuition and fees. During academic year 2019-2020, Gallaudet students 

received approximately $9.8 million in vocational rehabilitation payments and $22.9 million in 

Federal student financial aid, including $3.1 million in Pell Grants. In addition, Gallaudet 
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

M-9

received approximately $27.0 million in student tuition, room, board, and fees. Gallaudet 

receives additional funds from auxiliary enterprises revenues, donations, investment income, 

and a small amount from miscellaneous sources. In 2020, the Federal appropriation 

represented approximately 68 percent of Gallaudet’s total revenue.

Regional Partnership: The fiscal year 2020 appropriation provided Gallaudet $3 million to

establish a regional partnership focused on early language acquisition for children from birth 

through age three who are deaf or hard of hearing. The fiscal year 2021 appropriation provided 

an additional $3.5 million for partnership activities. Gallaudet established a regional partnership

on June 17, 2019, operated by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB), to serve 

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, 

and Tennessee. During the first year of the partnership, AIDB focused on building partnerships 

with agencies and service providers throughout the nine-State region. Many of the activities 

planned for the second year of the partnership were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, 

leading AIDB and Gallaudet to refocus their work on developing high quality distance education, 

training and family support opportunities and resources. 

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic: COVID-19 has had a significant impact on both the operations 

and finances of Gallaudet University. All students moved to remote instruction in spring 2020 

and have remained online since, with most employees working remotely. Although Gallaudet 

has developed plans for a safe return to campus, the return to campus will be contingent on 

many factors, including adherence to health and safety protocols that meet or exceed the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and compliance with District of 

Columbia health mandates. 

Gallaudet has faced significant additional expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To help 

offset these costs, it received $7.0 million under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic 

Security Act, $11.0 million under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental 

Appropriations Act, 2021, and $19.3 million under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Some 

of the additional expenses Gallaudet incurred include costs for developing online courses, 

training faculty in online teaching, purchasing and distributing technology to ensure access to 

virtual learning and work for students and employees, and COVID mitigation measures such as 

cleaning supplies and safety equipment, as well as the loss of revenue due to students not living 

on campus. 
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

M-10

Funding levels for the past 5 fiscal years were:

Fiscal Year (dollars in thousands)

2017 .............................................................................. $121,275

2018 ................................................................................ 128,000

2019 ................................................................................ 134,361

2020 ................................................................................ 137,361

2020 CARES Act................................................................. 7,000

2021 ................................................................................ 140,361

2021 CRRSA Act............................................................... 11,000

2021 Mandatory ARP Act.................................................. 19,250

FY 2022 BUDGET REQUEST

For fiscal year 2022, the Administration requests $143.4 million for Gallaudet University, an 

increase of $3.0 million above the 2021 appropriation, to cover increased operational costs and 

to maintain strong support for the University and the Clerc Center. The funds will be used to

support a wide range of activities at the University and the Clerc Center that help strengthen 

educational and employment opportunities for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing; 

continued programming for approximately 1,775 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled 

at the University; nearly 275 elementary and secondary education students enrolled in Clerc 

Center programs; and Gallaudet’s ongoing strategic initiatives focused on access to rigorous 

and critical learning, research, and career pathways and impact beyond campus.

UNIVERSITY OPERATIONS DATA

Operations Data 2020 2021 2022

Annual tuition and fees (in whole dollars):

Annual tuition and fees (in whole dollars): Base Tuition1 $16,512 $15,274 $16,512

Annual tuition and fees (in whole dollars): Room 7,194 7,194 7,194

Annual tuition and fees (in whole dollars): Board 6,130 6,499 6,499

Annual tuition and fees (in whole dollars): Fees 526 401 526

Annual tuition and fees (in whole dollars): Total 30,362 29,368 30,731

NOTE: All data are provided by the University. 

1 Graduate students and international students are charged a tuition surcharge.
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

University

M-11

UNIVERSITY OPERATIONS DATA

Operations Data 2020 2021 2022

Program enrollment:

Program enrollment: Number of full-time degree-seeking 

undergraduates 1,005 905 905

Program enrollment: Number of non-degree & part-time 

undergraduate students 311 447 447

Program enrollment: Number of graduate students 406 423 423

Program enrollment: Total 1,722 1,775 1,775

Number of MSSD students 161 139 139

Number of KDES students 111 95 95

Student/faculty ratios:

Student/faculty ratios: University 6:1 7:1 7:1

Student/faculty ratios: MSSD 7:1 7:1 7:1

Student/faculty ratios: KDES 5:1 5:1 5:1

NOTE: All 2020 and 2021 data are provided by the University. The 2022 data are estimates based on the 2021 data. 

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Performance Measures

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

goals, objectives, measures, and performance targets and data. Achievement of program 

results is based on the cumulative effect of the resources provided in previous years, and those 

requested in fiscal year 2022 and future years, as well as the resources and efforts invested by 

those served by this program. The Department will be reviewing GPRA program performance 

goals, objectives, and measures for Gallaudet University for possible revision in future years to 

ensure alignment with Administration policy.

Goal: To challenge students to achieve their academic goals and obtain productive 

employment, provide leadership in setting the national standard for best practices in 

education of the deaf and hard of hearing, and establish a sustainable resource base.

Objective: The University Programs and the Model Secondary School for the Deaf and the 

Kendall Demonstration Elementary School will optimize the number of students completing 

programs of study.
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

M-12

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; and the percentage of all graduate students eligible to return for the following 

academic year who are enrolled in that year.

Year Undergraduate 

Target

Undergraduate 

Actual Graduate Target Graduate Actual

2017 75% 63% 80% 81%

2018 75 72 80 81

2019 75 75 85 85

2020 75 74 85 91

2021 75 85

2022 75 85

Additional information: The calculation for the undergraduate measure is based on the 

persistence of first-time, full-time freshmen students from one fall semester to the next fall 

semester and is consistent with the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 

methodology. 

The methodology for the graduate measure uses a cohort formula and limits the calculation to 

master’s level students, because the expected period of enrollment for master’s level students is 

consistent across programs, whereas the expected period of enrollment for students in other 

graduate programs can vary significantly. This method of calculating the graduate persistence 

rate is comparable to the method of calculating the undergraduate persistence rate.

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

graduate within 6 years of enrollment.

Year Target Actual

2017 45% 53%

2018 45 47

2019 50 51

2020 50 44

2021 50

2022 50

Additional information: This measure is consistent with the standard IPEDS methodology that 

uses a 6-year cohort graduation rate, based on the same entering cohort as the IPEDS firstyear persistence indicator; that is the percentage of all incoming first-time, full-time freshmen 

students in one semester who have graduated by the end of 6 years after entry. 
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

M-13

Measure: The graduation rate for master’s students. 

Year Target Actual

2017 74% 81%

2018 74 81

2019 74 77

2020 74 84

2021 74

2022 74

Additional information: IPEDS does not collect graduation rate data for graduate students; the 

University calculates this measure using a cohort approach that counts students as graduates if 

they successfully complete a master’s program within 3 years of enrolling. 

Measure: The graduation rate for MSSD students. 

Year Target Actual

2017 65% 89%

2018 65 69

2019 70 77

2020 70 66

2021 70

2022 70

Additional information: This measure is based on a 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rate, 

based on first-time 9th grade cohorts, including students who transfer in and subtracting 

students who transfer out. 

Objective: Curriculum and extracurricular activities prepare students to meet the skill 

requirements of the workplace or to continue their studies.

Measure: The percentage of Gallaudet University graduates with baccalaureate degrees 

surveyed who are employed, in advanced education or training, or are neither employed nor 

enrolled in advanced education or training during their first year after graduation.

Year

Students 

Employed 

Target

Students 

Employed 

Actual

Students in 

Advanced 

Education 

or Training 

Target

Students in 

Advanced 

Education 

or Training 

Actual

Not 

Engaged in 

Either 

Activity 

Target

Not 

Engaged in 

Either 

Activity 

Actual

2017 53% 76% 45% 19% 2% 5%

2018 53 70 45 26 2 4

2019 55 64 43 33 2 4

2020 55 43 2

2021 55 43 2

2022 55 43 2

Additional information: The “Students Employed” category includes both full- and part-time 

employment. Advanced education or training includes students enrolled full- or part-time in a 
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

M-14

master's or Ph.D. program, a vocational or technical program, or another type of program, e.g.,

law school or medical school. Each alumnus is counted only once in his or her primary category, 

with employment given the highest ranking. Thus, those graduates who were employed and in 

advanced education or training 1 year after graduation are categorized only once—in the 

“Students employed” category.

Data for these measures are reported to the Department 2 years following graduation. The source 

of the data is an annual survey sent to students who have graduated from the University within the 

previous year. The 2019 survey response rate was 75 percent. 

Measure: The percentage of MSSD graduates surveyed who are employed or in postsecondary 

education or training, or are neither employed nor enrolled in postsecondary education or training 

during their first year after graduation.

 Year

Students in 

Postsecondary 

Education or 

Training or 

Employed Target

Students in 

Postsecondary 

Education or 

Training or 

Employed Actual

Not Engaged in 

Either Activity 

Target

Not Engaged in 

Either Activity 

Actual

2017 100% 89% 0% 11%

2018 100 81 0 19

2019 100 97 0 3

2020 100 0

2021 100 0

2022 100 0

Additional information: The data on employment and postsecondary education or training is 

derived from an annual survey of students who graduated from MSSD during the previous year. 

The response rate for the 2019 graduating class was 67 percent.

Objective: Gallaudet works in partnership with others to develop and disseminate educational 

programs and materials for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Measure: The number of programs and/or institutions adopting Model/Kendall innovative 

strategies/curricula or modifying their strategies as a result of Model and Kendall’s leadership.

Year Target Actual

2017 140 99

2018 140 215

2019 140 57

2020 140 84

2021 140

2022 140

Additional information: The Department is working with Gallaudet on developing more valid, 

reliable and meaningful measures related to the national mission activities of the Clerc Center. 

The goal is to identify alternatives that would assess the impact of evidence-based research 

projects, other scholarly activities, and demonstration and program development activities on 
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

M-15

improving educational outcomes for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing. In the interim, 

the Department continues to assess progress on the existing performance measures.

Efficiency Measures 

Objective: To improve the efficiency of operations at Gallaudet, as defined by the cost per 

successful student outcome, where the successful outcome is defined as graduation. 

Measure: Federal cost per Gallaudet graduate.

Year Target Actual

2017 $269,307 $228,727

2018 269,307 237,222

2019 269,307 248,903

2020 269,307 248,923

2021 269,307

2022 269,307

Additional information: The Federal cost is calculated by averaging the portion of the Federal 

appropriation allocated to the University (i.e., excluding funds allocated to the Clerc Center) for 

the year the students graduated and for the prior 5 years, and dividing this average by the 

number of graduates in the graduation year. For example, the fiscal year 2020 data on the 

Federal cost per graduate, as reported by Gallaudet University, is based on an average of the 

cost per graduate from fiscal year 2015 to 2020. Gallaudet’s Federal cost per graduate 

increased by 1 percent in fiscal year 2020. This approximates the IPEDS indicator length of 

6 years to graduation. Graduates include students receiving bachelor’s degrees, graduate 

certificates, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees. 

Measure: Total educational cost per Gallaudet graduate.

Year Target Actual

2017 $321,474 $266,033

2018 321,474 277,524

2019 321,474 289,466

2020 321,474 290,940

2021 321,474

2022 321,474

Additional information: Total educational cost per Gallaudet graduate is calculated by dividing 

the average of the current year’s and the previous 5 years’ total student expenditures by the 

number of undergraduate and graduate students awarded degrees during a given fiscal year. 

For example, the fiscal year 2020 data on the Federal cost per graduate, as reported by 

Gallaudet University, is based on an average of the cost per graduate from fiscal year 2015 to 

2020. This approximates the IPEDS indicator length of 6 years to graduation.