A statement from the White House over the weekend suggested that a certain financial program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) may be unconstitutional an implication that has raised concerns among supporters and leaders of HBCUs.
“My Administration shall treat provisions that allocate benefits on the basis of race, ethnicity, and gender in a manner consistent with the requirement to afford equal protection of the laws under the Due Process Clause of the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment,” the statement reads, specifically citing the “Historically Black College and University Capital Financing Program Account.” The statement was in reference to President Donald Trump’s signage of H.R. 244, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017.
The purpose of the program is to provide financing or refinancing opportunities for HBCUs that they can use for renovating, building or repairing campus buildings, laboratories, dormitories, research equipment and other various infrastructures. Any accredited HBCU is eligible to apply for a loan.
