Federal cuts eliminate $12.9M in Native Hawaiian & Alaska Native education grants
Federal officials cut millions in education grants for Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native students, threatening programs that support culture, language, and equity.
Pae ʻĀina-wide, Hawaiʻi
Source: Black Chronicle
The U.S. Department of Education has announced it will eliminate all grants for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, declaring the eligibility rules unconstitutional. The move cuts about $12.9 million in Title III Part A funds, which were designed to support low-income students by improving academics, management, and financial stability at qualifying schools.
To receive funding, Native Hawaiian-serving institutions needed at least 10% Native Hawaiian enrollment — thresholds federal officials now say amount to unconstitutional racial quotas.
For Native Hawaiians, the cuts risk widening existing disparities and weakening support systems for keiki who already face barriers to educational equity. Such decisions undermine commitments to Indigenous students and threaten the survival of cultural and language-based programs.
💭 How do we protect and expand resources for Native Hawaiian learners when federal priorities shift away from Indigenous education?
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