Federal Grant Programs for Minority Students in Hawaiʻi Cut

September 11, 2025 - 09:07

The U.S. Department of Education announced on Wednesday the termination of several grant programs that provided crucial financial support to universities with significant populations of minority students, including those from Asian and Native Hawaiian backgrounds. This decision has raised concerns among educational institutions in Hawaiʻi, which rely heavily on these funds to enhance educational opportunities and resources for underrepresented groups.

The affected programs were designed to promote diversity and inclusion within higher education, helping to address historical disparities in access and success for minority students. With the removal of these grants, many colleges and universities may struggle to maintain their current initiatives aimed at supporting these communities.

Educators and administrators are now calling for a reassessment of the decision, emphasizing the importance of federal support in fostering an inclusive educational environment. The loss of funding could hinder efforts to improve graduation rates and overall student success among minority populations in the region.