The U.S. Department of Education announced historic funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), along with new investments for charter schools and American history and civics programs, according to a news release. The department said these funds are being redirected from programs it determined were less effective, using discretionary grant program flexibilities to target resources toward programs designed to improve educational outcomes.
HBCUs and TCCUs will receive a combined $495 million in funding in a one-time increase on top of their 2025 federal budget allocations. This represents a 48.4% increase for HBCUs and a 109.3% increase for TCCUs. In total, HBCUs are expected to receive more than $1.34 billion, while TCCUs will receive over $108 million. These funds aim to recognize the historic and ongoing contributions of these institutions in higher education.
For fiscal year 2025, charter schools will receive $500 million in grants, marking the largest investment in the Charter Schools Program to date, per the release. The funding is intended to support educational choice and improve student performance, following the release of the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress scores, which highlighted low outcomes in several areas.
American history and civics programs are also receiving expanded funding. The Education Department plans to invest over $160 million in initiatives such as the Seminars for America’s Semiquincentennial program, per the release. In May 2025, the department invited applications for new awards, and more than 100 civil organizations and institutions of higher education submitted proposals. The new grants aim to increase civics education nationwide as the country prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of its founding.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon highlighted the scope of these investments in the release, noting that they represent some of the largest funding commitments in these programs’ histories. She said the department has reviewed its grants to ensure that taxpayer funds are directed toward programs that support student achievement and educational opportunity.
The redirected funds represent a considerable investment in HBCUs and TCCUs, alongside historic growth for charter schools and civics programs, with a focus on initiatives that demonstrate measurable impact on students across the nation.
