Eligibility Designations for Programs Under Section 312 of the Higher Education Act — FY2026
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The U.S. Department of Education has announced the process by which higher education institutions will be designated as eligible to participate in grant programs authorized under Section 312 of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended, for fiscal year 2026. These programs primarily target Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs), providing federal funding to strengthen their academic, administrative, and fiscal capacity. Institutions seeking eligibility must meet specific criteria set forth in the HEA, including accreditation status, enrollment thresholds of low-income or minority students, and financial stability benchmarks. The Department's notice outlines the documentation, timelines, and procedural steps institutions must follow to obtain or maintain their designated eligibility status for FY2026 funding cycles. Eligibility designation is a prerequisite for accessing competitive and formula-based grants under Title III of the HEA, which funds programs such as the Strengthening HBCUs Program (Title III, Part B) and Strengthening Institutions Program (Title III, Part A). Institutions that miss designation deadlines or fail to meet criteria may be excluded from funding consideration for the entire fiscal year.
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Key Changes
- Department of Education launches FY2026 eligibility designation process under Section 312 of the HEA for minority-serving institutions
- Institutions must meet enrollment thresholds and accreditation standards to qualify for Title III grant programs
- Eligibility designation is required before institutions can access competitive or formula-based federal grants for FY2026
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