BLACK COLLEGES PLEAD FOR ADDITIONAL STUDENT AID, IMPROVED DELIVERY

Sep 28, 2026

Mounting frustration over decreasing federal student aid surfaced as black educators criticized the Education Department and Congress for insufficient funding for needy black students and for an overly confusing aid application process. Presidents of historically black colleges and universities met with ED officials to improve student aid delivery, calling for simplified forms, better verification procedures, and responsive consideration through proposed advisory structures. The reporting also notes the broader need to bolster black participation in science.

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BLACK COLLEGES PLEAD FOR ADDITIONAL STUDENT AID,IMPROVED DELIVERY

Let Us List The Ways

BLACK COLLEGES CAN HELP BOLSTER RANKS OF BLACK SCIENTISTS,EXPERTS SAY

Doors Of Opportunity Wide Open

BLACK COLLEGES PLEAD FOR ADDITIONAL STUDENT AID,IMPROVED DELIVERY (Cont.)

HIGHER EDUCATION DAILY Vo1。14,No。181 Friday,September 19,1986 # BLACK COLLEGES PLEAD FOR ADDITIONAL STUDENT AID,IMPROVED DELIVERY Mounting frustration over decreasing federal student aid bubbled over Wednes-day as several black educators criticized the Education Department and Con-gress for not providing enough funds for needy black students and creating aconfusing aid application process. Robert Albright,president of Johnson C.Smith University in Charlotte,N.C.,said the Reagan administration had promised a "safety net"for minority stu-dents,but the amount of assistance has declined."Our parents can't afford toput up that kind of money,"Smith added. More than 50 presidents of historically black colleges and universities metwith ED officials this week to discuss student aid issues.The seminar,spon-sored by ED and Sen.Mack Mattingly,R-Ga.,was designed to help administratorsat historically black institutions improve student aid delivery. Let Us List The WaysDouglas Covington,president of Alabama A&Mshould submit to ED a list of recommendations to improve the student aidsystem.He said the variety of forms and verification material required toreceive a federal grant is too complex for many poor black families tounderstand."I believe there is an opportunity for significant innovations,"he said. Dewey Newman,ED's deputy assistant secretary for student financial aid,pro-mised to listen to the concerns of black colleges. "If you get together a task force--their recommendations will not be lost,"Newman said."They will be aggressively pursued by my staff." Newman also said that the Higher Education Act reauthorization proposal,s.1965,includes a provision for a national student aid advisory committee,tobe appointed by the education secretary,the Senate majority leader and thespeaker of the House。Although he could not promise a seat on the panel for ablack college representative,Newman assured his audience that Education Secre-tary William Bennett would be responsive to the needs of black educators. Calvin Rolark,president of the United Black Fund in Washington,D.C.,said the1ssue of aid for black students is one that could mobilize the black community."We are talking about the salvation of black America,"he said. ED and the Reagan administration have made black colleges a priority in recentyears,asking Congress to reserve federal funds for the institutions.Federalfunding to historically black institutions has increased more than $75.8 mil-lion since 1981(HED,Aug.27,1985)。(more on p.3) # BLACK COLLEGES CAN HELP BOLSTER RANKS OF BLACK SCIENTISTS,EXPERTS SAY Historically black colleges and universities can play a major role in increas-ing the ranks of black scientists,but they need assistance from private indus-try and the federal government,said educators and industry representativesgathered this week at the National Academy of Sciences. The two-day conference,which began yesterday,is sponsored by the President'sOffice of Science and Technology Policy and the Education Department. Participants are to discuss ways black institutionscan form research partnerships with,and gain fund-ing from,private industry and the federal govern- ment,as well as ways they can improve their science programs.The conferenceagenda includes a"strategic assessment"of current programs and alliances and"a strategy-setting,problem-solving"approach to the future,said LutherWilliams,president of Atlanta University. As America moves into an increasingly technological age,the country is shortof scientists—particularly black scientists--conference speakers said.Blacksmade up 10.6 percent of the undergraduate population in 1978,but only 8.8 per-cent in 1984,said C.Ronald Kimberling,ED assistant secretary for postsecond-ary education,who helped open the conference.While the number of college-ageblacks increased,enrollment "barely held steady,"he said. The percentage of graduate degrees in science earned by blacks decreased from 6.6 per

FAQs

Why did black educators criticize the Education Department and Congress?

They said federal student aid funding was not enough for needy black students and that the application process was confusing.

What did presidents of historically black colleges and universities discuss with ED officials?

They met to improve how student aid is delivered, including reducing complexity in forms and verification required for federal grants.

What actions did the deputy assistant secretary for student financial aid promise?

He said recommendations from a task force would not be lost and would be aggressively pursued by his staff.

How did the conference address increasing black scientists?

It emphasized partnerships and funding from private industry and federal government, along with improving science programs and addressing educational preparation.

Sep 28, 2026

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