Department of Education

HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request

CONTENTS

Page

Appropriations Language ........................................................................................................T-1

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

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

Authorizing Legislation............................................................................................................T-4

Appropriations History.............................................................................................................T-5

Activity:

Howard University .............................................................................................................T-6
HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Appropriations Language

For partial support of Howard University, $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, 2015.)

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.

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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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HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Appropriation, Adjustments and Transfers

(dollars in thousands)

Appropriation/Adjustments/Transfers 2014 2015 2016

Discretionary:

Discretionar y budget authority: Appropriation .......................................................... $221,821 $221,821 $221,821

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Authorizing Legislation

(dollars in thousands)

Activity

2015

Authorized

Footnotefootnote

2015

Estimate

Footnote

2016

Authorized

Footnote

2016

Request

Footnote

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

1

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 definite authorization 0 0

Total appropriation 221,821 221,821

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 2015, the University must allocate at least $3,405 thousand for the endowment program. For fiscal year 2016, the Administration requests 

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

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Appropriations History

(dollars in thousands)

Year

Budget 

Estimate 

to Congress

House 

Allowance Footnote

Senate 

Allowance Footnote Appropriation

2007 237,392 N/A 1 N/A 1 233,866

2008 233,866 237,392 237,392 233,245

2009 233,245 236,709 2 233,244 2 234,977

2010 234,977 234,977 234,977 3 234,977

2011 234,977 234,977 4 234,977 3 234,507 5

2012 234,507 234,507 6 234,507 6 234,064

2013 234,064 234,064 7 234,064 7 221,821

2014 234,064 N/A 8 234,064 3 221,821

2015 221,821 N/A8 221,821 9 221,821

2016 221,821

1 This account operated under a full-year continuing resolution (P.L. 110-5). House and Senate allowances are 

shown as N/A (Not Available) because neither body passed a separate appropriations bill. 2 The levels for the House and Senate allowances reflect action on the regular annual 2009 appropriations bill, 

which proceeded in the 110th Congress only through the House Subcommittee and the Senate Committee. 3 The level for the Senate allowance reflects Committee action only. 4 The level for the House allowance reflects the House-passed full-year continuing resolution. 5 The level for appropriation reflects the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 

(P.L. 112-10). 6 The level for the House allowance reflects an introduced bill and the level for the Senate allowance reflects 

Senate Committee action only. 7 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. 8 The House allowance is shown as N/A because there was no Subcommittee action. 9 The level for the Senate allowance reflects Senate Subcommittee action only.

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Howard University

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

(dollars in thousands)

FY 2016 Authorization: Indefinite

2015 2016 Change

General Support $194,496 1 $194,496 1 0

Howard University Hospital 27,325 27,325 0

Total 221,821 221,821 0

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

University. However, the 2015 appropriation required the University to allocate at least $3,405 thousand for the 

endowment program. The Department proposes the same language for 2016.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

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

educational institution. As a comprehensive, research-oriented, predominantly AfricanAmerican university, its mission is to provide a high-quality educational experience at 

reasonable cost. The annual appropriation for Howard University provides partial support for 

construction, development, improvement, endowment, and maintenance of the University and 

Howard University Hospital. Howard University has discretion in allocating funds for its 

academic, research, and endowment programs, and for construction activities. 

Academic Programs—Howard University currently has 10,815 students, of whom 7,331 are 

undergraduate students, 1,932 are graduate students, and 1,552 are enrolled in professional 

degree programs. The University offers 27 bachelor, 18 masters, 2 doctoral, and 6 professional 

degrees, as well as 11 professional certifications and 4 dual degrees, in approximately 120 

fields of study. There are 13 academic schools and colleges including: Arts and Sciences; 

Business; Communications; Dentistry; Divinity; Education; Engineering, Architecture and 

Computer Sciences; Graduate School; Law; Medicine; Pharmacy; Nursing and Allied Health 

Sciences; and Social Work. 

To support these academic programs, the University provides a wide range of administrative, 

library, computer, and technology resources. As part of Howard University’s mission to provide 

disadvantaged students with a quality education at a reasonable cost, Howard’s tuition, which is 

$22,737 for an entering undergraduate student in academic year 2014-2015, is well below that 

of nearby private schools. In comparison, the tuition for an entering undergraduate student at 

George Washington University is $45,735 and at Georgetown University is $42,360. 

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

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

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Howard University

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. 

Endowment Program—Howard University's endowment program is designed to assist the 

University in increasing its financial strength and independence by stimulating private 

contributions. To receive Federal endowment funds, the University must provide a one-for-one 

match through non-Federal contributions to the endowment. Through low-risk investments, the 

endowment fund continues to grow by generating income that may be used to pay University 

expenses. However, Howard University may withdraw no more than 50 percent of the yearly 

income, except in the case of a financial emergency or another unusual occurrence.

Construction—Howard University has discretion in allocating funds for capital construction and 

renovation of University buildings to maintain and improve the University’s ability to provide 

high-quality postsecondary education and research opportunities. The major construction 

projects currently underway include the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Center, which 

will include new facilities for biomedicine, computational sciences, and engineering.

Howard University’s Allocation of Resources for 2014 (dollars in thousands)

Program Category

Funding Source Total 

Expenditures Federal 

Appropriation1

Tuition and 

Fees

Other 

Revenues

Academic Instruction $77,443 $103,381 $27,377 $211,4412

Divinity School 0 1,669 0 2,8132

Research 0 0 40,068 40,068 

Chapel 0 1,651 0 1,651 

Public Service 8,585 0 8,585 

Academic Support 38,625 0 38,625 

Student Services 26,872 0 26,872

Institutional Support 79,042 41,858 18,919 139,819 

Patient Care 0 0 312,286 297,1942

Auxiliary Enterprises 0 0 74,826 74,826

Depreciation Expense 3,927 0 0 3,9273

Debt Service - Interest 2,152 0 0 2,1523

1 In addition to the funds shown above, Congress appropriated $3.4 million in fiscal year 2014 for the Howard 

University Endowment program, which the University matched.

 2 Resources in excess of total expenditures constitute an operating surplus, while total expenditures in excess of 

resources constitute an operating deficit.

 3 Howard assigns costs associated with depreciation expenses and interest on debt service to each program 

based on a square footage calculation. In general, these costs are paid for using non-Federal appropriation funds. 

The Federal appropriation only supports depreciation expenses and interest on debt service when a program’s other 

funding sources are insufficient to cover the costs.

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Howard University

Howard University Hospital—Howard University Hospital was established in 1862 as 

Freedmen’s Hospital and was incorporated into Howard University by Congress in 1962. 

Today, Howard University Hospital serves as a major acute and ambulatory care center for the 

inner city of Washington, DC, receiving over 10,800 admissions and 59,000 emergency room 

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

hospitalization insurance and Medicare payments, and contractual agreements for patient care 

services with the Washington, DC, government, and other local jurisdictions. The Hospital is 

also a major teaching and training facility for nurses, paramedics, and physicians, providing 

training for approximately 460 medical school students and 358 dentistry students annually. 

The price of Howard’s 2014-2015 medical school tuition and fees is $47,100 for first-year 

students. In comparison, the George Washington University School of Medicine charges 

$54,183 and the Georgetown University School of Medicine charges $51,689. The cost of the 

School of Medicine at Howard University is in line with local public schools; for example, the 

tuition and fees for the University of Virginia School of Medicine are $47,118 for Virginia 

residents and $57,726 for non-residents.

Funding levels for the past 5 fiscal years were:

Fiscal Year (dollars in thousands)

2011 ................................................................................. $234,507

2012 ................................................................................... 234,064

2013 ................................................................................... 221,821

2014 ................................................................................... 221,821

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

FY 2016 BUDGET REQUEST

The Administration requests $221.8 million for Howard University in fiscal year (FY) 2016, the 

same as the 2015 level. Federal funds, which provided approximately 38 percent of Howard 

University’s operating costs in fiscal year 2014, are needed for the University to maintain its 

current level of educational services and for the Hospital to continue offering healthcare 

services. This request supports the Administration’s goals to increase institutional quality and 

student completion rates. As a congressionally chartered Historically Black College or 

University serving students from throughout the Nation, Howard University plays an important 

role in providing disadvantaged individuals, particularly African Americans, with access to a 

high-quality postsecondary education. 

Of the amount requested, $194.5 million would be allocated under General Support to the 

University. General Support includes Howard University’s academic programs, research 

programs, endowment program, and construction. The Department’s request also includes 

$27.3 million for the Howard University Hospital. Federal support for the Hospital enables it to 

provide medical, dental, and other health-related education; research; training; and service 

opportunities for students. From the appropriation, at least $3.4 million would be earmarked to 

continue building Howard University’s endowment. The University would be required to 

increase the endowment by at least an equal amount. The Department believes that 

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. 

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Howard University

PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES (dollars in thousands)

Measures 2014 Fo2015 Fo2016

Student population by enrollment:

Number of full-time undergraduate students 6,324 6,267 6,310

Number of full-time graduate students 2,741 2,860 2,900

Total number of full-time students 9,065 9,127 9,210

Total number of undergraduate students 7,331 7,271 7,335

Total number of graduate students 3,484 3,592 3,640

Total number of students 10,815 10,863 10,975

Student population by race:

Number of Black U.S. undergraduate students 6,666 6,611 6,670

Number of other U.S. undergraduate students 412 409 410

Number of foreign undergraduate students 253 251 255

Number of Black U.S. graduate students 2,621 2,702 2,735

Number of other U.S. graduate students 555 572 580

Number of foreign graduate students 308 318 325

Student population by family income:

Number of undergraduates with family income of 

less than $40,000

2,609 2,470 2,500

Number of graduate students with family income of 

less than $40,000

1,164 926 924

Undergraduate student financial aid:

Number of U.S. students receiving Federal aid 5,947 6,178 6,419

Average amount of aid $17,451 $17,475 $17,475

Number of U.S. students receiving non-Fed’l aid 5,364 5,573 5,789

Average amount of aid $15,847 $17,706 $18,149 

Number of foreign students receiving non-Fed’l aid 164 135 138

Average amount of aid $21,688 $24,154 $24,758 

Graduate student financial aid:

Number of U.S. students receiving Federal aid 2,516 2,538 2,559

Average amount of aid $43,449 $47,483 $48,670 

Number of U.S. students receiving non-Fed’l aid 1,708 1,769 1,832

Average amount of aid $16,164 $16,253 $16,275 

Number of foreign students receiving non-Fed’l aid 169 175 181

Average amount of aid $22,237 $22,207 $22,186 _____________________________

NOTE: All data have been provided by Howard University. The data reflect activity during the University's 

academic year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. 

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Howard University

PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES (dollars in thousands)

Measures 2014 2015 2016

Degrees awarded by type and race:

Baccalaureates awarded to Black U.S. students 1,069 1,100 1,115

Baccalaureates awarded to other U.S. students 46 40 40

Baccalaureates awarded to foreign students 25 45 45

Total number of Baccalaureates awarded 1,140 1,185 1,200

Degrees awarded by type and race:

Ph.D.s awarded to Black U.S. students 76 80 80

Ph.D.s awarded to other U.S. students 16 10 10

Ph.D.s awarded to foreign students 13 12 12

Total number of Ph.D.s awarded 105 102 102

Faculty and staff:

Number of paid faculty 1,200 1,200 1,189

Number of faculty serving without compensation 120 120 120

Total number of faculty 1,320 1,320 1,309

Total number of staff 1,850 1,850 1,775

Median faculty salaries by academic status:

Professor $107,800 $107,800 $107,539 

Associate Professor $81,300 $81,300 $84,246 

Assistant Professor $70,500 $70,500 $82,718 

Instructor $56,000 $56,000 $58,991 

Construction:

Total construction expenditures $72,418 $50,000 $50,000

Endowment program:

Federal appropriation1 $3,405 $3,405 $3,405

Match funds raised by University $3,405 $3,405 $3,405

Total new contributions $6,810 $6,810 $6,810

Market value of total University endowment $586,104 $610,000 $655,000

Endowment investment income $13,143 $15,000 $15,720

Investment income as percent of endowment 2.2% 2.5% 2.4%

NOTE: All data have been provided by Howard University. The data reflect activity during the University's 

academic year, which runs from July 1 to June 30.

1 Federal funding for the Howard endowment program is drawn from the appropriation for Howard University 

General Support and Howard University Hospital.

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Howard University

PROGRAM OUTPUT MEASURES (dollars in thousands)

Measures 2014 2015 2016

Howard University General Support:

Federal appropriation $194,496 $194,496 $194,496

Other Federal funding 50,000 51,000 51,000

Total Federal funding 244,496 245,496 245,496

Restricted non-Federal revenue $17,034 $18,000 $18,500

Revenue from tuition and fees 257,956 281,000 283,000

Other non-Federal revenue 128,496 130,000 132,000

Total non-Federal revenue 403,486 429,000 433,500

Total University revenue $647,982 $674,496 $678,996

Total University expenditures $636,398 $638,271 $660,000

Federal funding as percentage of total revenue 37.7% 36.4% 36.2%

Tuition and fees as percentage of total revenue 39.8% 41.7% 41.7%

Howard University Hospital:

Federal appropriation $27,325 $27,325 $27,325

Other Federal funding 56,899 60,000 60,000

Total Federal funding 84,224 87,325 87,325

Unrestricted non-Federal revenue (DC gov’t) $67,507 $72,000 $74,000

Revenue from patient services 29,469 31,000 32,000

Other non-Federal revenue 62,747 71,900 71,900

Total non-Federal revenue 159,723 174,900 177,900

Total Hospital revenue $243,947 $262,225 $265,225 

Total Hospital expenditures $297,372 $288,690 $290,000

Federal appropriation as percent of total revenue 11.2% 10.4% 10.3% _____________________________

NOTE: All data have been provided by Howard University. The data reflect activity during the University's 

academic year, which runs from July 1 to June 30.

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Howard University

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Performance Measures

This section presents 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 

2016 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

2011 70% 62.6%

2012 70 63.2

2013 70 60.4

2014 70 59.5

2015 70

2016 70

Additional Information: This measure explicitly 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 

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) rather than directly from the University.

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 steadily 

declined. Howard has not meet its graduation target since 2007. The Department plans to work

with Howard in fiscal year 2015 to improve performance and review targets for possible 

adjustment. 

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.

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Howard University

Year Target Actual

2011 86% 81%

2012 87 80

2013 88 83

2014 89 80

2015 90

2016 90

Additional Information: The long-term goal for the persistence is to increase the percentage 

of first-time, full-time students who return for their second year of undergraduate education. 

Data from IPEDS, available beginning in 2003, showed that Howard University’s persistence 

rate held steady at 90 percent from 2003 to 2006, before dropping to 85 percent in 2007, and 

then further through 2014. Targets have been adjusted to gradually bring performance back up 

to the 90 percent level by 2015. The Department plans to work with Howard in fiscal year 2015 

to improve performance and review targets for possible adjustment.

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

2011 12,000 9,445

2012 12,000 8,941

2013 12,000 8,818

2014 12,000 9,065

2015 12,000

2016 TBD

Additional Information: This measure utilizes data taken from NCES’ IPEDS database to 

track the enrollment of full-time students at Howard University. Enrollment at Howard increased 

steadily each year from 2003 to 2006, before dropping in 2007 and 2008. In 2009 and 2010, 

enrollment increased slightly over the prior year before dropping again in 2011. In 2012, 

enrollment declined by over 500 students, one of the largest changes in recent years, before 

increasing slightly in 2014. The target for this measure is based on Howard’s internal target of 

12,000 students. The Department will discuss with Howard its plans to increase enrollment and 

may consider adjusting targets for 2016 and beyond. 

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.

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Howard University

Year Target Actual

2011 $88,000 $89,191

2012 88,000 85,455

2013 88,000 90,337

2014 88,000 95,108

2015 88,000

2016 88,000

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

appropriated for Howard University in the Department of Education appropriations act (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. The Federal cost per degree or certificate awarded has increased since 2012, 

returning to the 2010 level.

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. This metric may enable the Department to assess 

relative program performance across institutions with similar types of missions. 

Other Performance Information

During fiscal years 2010 and 2011, Howard transitioned to a new financial and executive 

leadership team, which has made improvements to university operations through organizational 

restructuring and the institution of a new financial reporting system. Under the organizational 

structure, Howard implemented strategies to improve communication between Federal grant 

program management and financial accountability. Howard also established an office of Risk 

and Controls, which has as its primary responsibility addressing matters related to the A-133 

audit report. In addition, Howard has made some internal adjustments that have contributed to 

positive financial outcomes:

• Howard’s accounting books are closed monthly; previously, their books were closed 

once a year.

• Howard provides quarterly reports to its lenders.

• When donations are received, Howard sends letters to donors to inform them of how 

their donated funds will be used.

• Howard has implemented a new automated effort reporting system.

The new financial team at Howard made gains with regard to addressing the findings in 

Howard’s A-133 audit report. The most recent audit reports contain far fewer and less serious 

findings than reports prior to 2010. The importance of the University continuing to address 

these issues, including the Department’s increased attention to risk management, was 

reiterated to Howard. In light of significant leadership changes at Howard University since the 

fall of 2013, including the departure of President Ribeau, the Department has been in regular

communication with University officials to ensure that these personnel changes do not disrupt 

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Howard University

the improvements made in the A-133 audit reports and will continue to work closely with Howard 

University staff to ensure responsible management and full compliance in regards to the Federal 

appropriation.

Despite some progress in control processes, Howard’s credit was downgraded to Baa3 with a 

negative outlook by Moody’s Investors Service in July 2014, while Standard & Poor’s 

downgraded Howard’s debt to BBB+ in March 2014. The downgrade was credited to concerns 

about the Hospital’s financial state and the lack of consistent institutional leadership. The latter 

issue may be addressed by the appointments in the summer of 2014 of a new permanent 

president, Dr. Wayne Frederick, and a new Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Stacey Mobley, 

Esq. The Department plans to work with Howard University leadership to stabilize the 

University’s financial condition in fiscal year 2015.

In past visits, the Department has impressed upon Howard the importance of withdrawing and 

matching Federal endowment funds. In recent years, Howard has made improvements in this 

area, matching all Federal funds appropriated for endowment purposes in the fiscal year in 

which they were appropriated. Endowment funds appropriated in fiscal year 2014 have been 

matched by the University.

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