- Skip to main content
- About Us
- Contact Us
- FAQs
-  Language Assistance ****    - English
  - español
  - 中文: 繁體版
  - Việt-ngữ
  - 한국어
  - Tagalog
  - Русский 

U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of Education

        - Student Loans
        - Grants
        - Laws
        - Data

# Department of Education Discharges Over $1.6 billion in HBCU Capital Finance Debt

# Department of Education Discharges Over $1.6 billion in HBCU Capital Finance Debt

April 2, 2021

**Contact:  **press@ed.gov

                                    -        
The U.S. Department of Education recently discharged approximately $1.6 billion of debt provided to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that participate in the HBCU Capital Financing Program. This action will provide debt relief to 45 HBCUs – 13 public institutions and 32 private institutions. 

"Our HBCUs have long been on an uneven playing field, financially, as compared to many other postsecondary institutions," said Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "This relief will further support these mission-critical institutions and help to ensure they have more resources to educate and graduate students during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic."

The FAFSA Simplification Act, which was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, signed into law in December 2020, provided authority and funding to discharge debts held by HBCUs under the HBCU Capital Financing Program. In combination with funds provided in the American Rescue Plan, signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021, and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), HBCUs will also receive more than $5 billion through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund programs. 

Since 1994, the HBCU Capital Financing Program has provided low-cost loans to finance and refinance infrastructure improvements at the nation's HBCUs.

Discharging these debts helps enable these institutions to focus their resources on supporting students, faculty, and staff for the duration of the COVID-19 national emergency. HBCUs can dedicate more funds to innovating the academic experience, supporting the socio-emotional development of their students, and continue as the leading producers of Black doctors and teachers during a time when the United States needs them most.
Institutions Receiving HBCU Capital Finance Debt Discharges- Alabama A&M University
- Allen University
- Alabama State University
- Arkansas Baptist College
- Saint Augustine's University
- Benedict College
- Bennett College
- Bethune–Cookman University
- Barber-Scotia College
- Central State University
- Claflin University
- Clark Atlanta University
- Florida A&M University
- Florida Memorial University
- Grambling State University
- Hampton University
- Harris–Stowe State University
- Huston-Tillotson University
- Jarvis Christian College
- Johnson C. Smith University
- Lane College
- Lawson State Community College
- LeMoyne-Owen College
- Livingstone College
- Meharry Medical College
- Miles College
- Morgan State University
- Morehouse College
- Morehouse School of Medicine
- Philander Smith College
- South Carolina State University
- Shaw University
- Stillman College
- Southern University at Baton Rouge
- Southern University at Shreveport
- Talladega College
- Texas College
- Texas Southern University
- Tuskegee University
- University of the Virgin Islands
- Virginia Union University
- Voorhees College
- Wilberforce University
- Wiley College
- Xavier University of Louisiana
   -  Tags: Federal AidHistorically Black College and University Capital Financing ProgramPress Releases
          How Do I Find...?    - Student loans, forgiveness
- Higher Education Rulemaking
- College accreditation
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
- FERPA
- FAFSA
- 1098, tax forms
- More...
      Information About...    - Elevating Teaching
- Early Learning
- Engage Every Student
- Unlocking Career Success
- Cybersecurity
Search press releasesSearch for:      Find By Month    - February 2024 
- January 2024 
- December 2023 
- November 2023 
- October 2023 
- September 2023 
- August 2023 
- July 2023 
- June 2023 
- May 2023 
- April 2023 
- March 2023 
- All Press Releases
             
*Our mission* is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
- Student Loans
- Repaying Loans
- Defaulted Loans
- Loan Forgiveness
- Loan Servicers
- Grants & Programs
- Apply for Pell Grants
- Grants Forecast
- Apply for a Grant
- Laws & Guidance
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
- FERPA
- Civil Rights
- IDEA Website
- Data & Research
- Education Statistics
- Postsecondary Education Data
- ED Data Express
- Nation's Report Card
- What Works Clearinghouse
- Open Data Platform
- COVID Relief Data
- About Us
- Contact Us
- ED Offices
- Jobs
- Press Releases
- FAQs
- Recursos en español
- Budget, Performance
- Privacy Program
- Homeroom Blog
- Notices
- FOIA
- Privacy Policy
- Accessibility
- Security
- Information Quality
- Inspector General
- Whitehouse.gov
- USA.gov
- Benefits.gov
- Regulations.gov