Minority-serving institution#Legal Definitions

The term MSI is defined in US federal statute under the Higher Education Act (HEA), and several federal agencies maintain a listing of eligible institutions that receive HEA funding designated for MSIs, such as the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation. Most MSIs qualify for federal funding based on annual undergraduate or graduate enrollment and graduation criteria (enrollment-driven MSIs, such as Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), Native American Serving NonTribal Institutions (NASNTIs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (ANNHIs), and Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)), while two types are statutorily defined, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).Conrad, C. & Gasman, M. (2015). [https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674976023 Educating a Diverse Nation: Lessons from Minority Serving Institutions]. Harvard University Press For example, a report from the U.S. Department of Education on the characteristics of MSIs{{Cite web|date=November 2007|title=Characteristics of Minority-Serving Institutions and Minority Undergraduates Enrolled in These Institutions.|url=http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2008/2008156.pdf|access-date=2021-06-24|website=U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics}} defined MSI based on either of two separate criteria; 1) legislation (e.g. HBCU, TCU, or 2) percentage of minority undergraduate enrollment based on IPEDS data{{Cite web|title=The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/|access-date=2021-06-24|website=nces.ed.gov}} (i.e. "institutions that enroll at least 25 percent of a specific minority group are designated as “minority-serving” for that group").

The similar term “minority institutions” (MIs) is defined by § 365(3) of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 (20 U.S.C. § 1067k(3)).

Many MSIs, such as Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), began in response to a history of inequality and a lack of access for people of color to majority institutions. MSIs overall now occupy a unique place in the nation, serving primarily, but not exclusively, low-income students, first generation students, and students of color. These institutions have highly diverse faculties and staffs, enhance student learning and promote leadership skills, and provide programs of study address deficiencies that originated at the primary and secondary level. MSIs play an important role in the nation’s economy by preparing a diverse workforce and prepare underrepresented students for graduate and professional school.Marybeth Gasman & Thai-Huy Nguyen, [https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674916586&content=bios Making Black Scientists: A Call to Action.] (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2019).

Until 2007, no federal legislation existed concerning [https://www2.ed.gov/programs/aanapi/awards.html institutions serving Asian American and Pacific Islanders]. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 made history, because it granted federal recognition to these institutions, making them eligible to be designated as minority serving institutions.{{cite book|last=Chen|first=Edith Wen-Chu|title=Encyclopedia of Asian American Issues Today|date=2010|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-34751-1|volume=1|pages=177}}

MSIs serve a large number of financially-challenged students: 98 percent of African Americans and Native Americans who enroll at HBCUs or TCUs receive or qualify for federal financial aid, and over 50% of all students enrolled at MSIs receive Pell Grant support. As a point of comparison, only 31 percent of all college students receive Pell Grant support. Moreover, nearly half of MSI students are first generation college students. In comparison, only 35 percent of students attending Predominantly White Institutions.William Casey Boland, Marybeth Gasman, Andrés Castro Samayoa, and DeShaun Bennett, “[https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11162-019-09580-w The Effect of Enrolling in Minority Serving Institutions on Earnings Compared to Non-Minority Serving Institutions: A College Scorecard Analysis],” Research in Higher Education (2019)

MSIs are eligible for federal and private funding based on specific eligibility requirements, as determined by the funding agency.{{Cite web|title=Department of Navy's Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions Program|url=https://www.onr.navy.mil/en/Education-Outreach/HBCU-MI-Historically-Black-Colleges|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426223130/https://www.onr.navy.mil/en/Education-Outreach/HBCU-MI-Historically-Black-Colleges|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 26, 2017|access-date=2021-06-24}}{{Cite web|title=Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Partnerships with Community-Based Organizations (CBO)|url=https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/grant-announcements/sp-14-005|access-date=2021-06-24|website=www.samhsa.gov|date=7 February 2014 |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-07-07|title=Title III Part B, Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program|url=https://www2.ed.gov/programs/iduestitle3b/index.html|access-date=2021-06-24|website=www2.ed.gov|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Computer and Information Science and Engineering Minority-Serving Institutions Research Expansion Program |url=https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505854|access-date=2021-06-24|website=www.nsf.gov}}

Federal funding is provided directly to some MSIs under Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965:{{Cite web|title=U.S.C. Title 20 - Education|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title20/html/USCODE-2011-title20-chap28-subchapIII-partE-subpart3-sec1067k.htm|access-date=2021-06-24|website=www.govinfo.gov}}{{cite book|last=Gasman|first=Marybeth|title=Understanding minority-serving institutions|author2=Benjamin Baez|author3=Caroline Sotello Viernes Turner|date=2008|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-7359-7}}

1. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) – institutions founded prior to the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that were created primarily to educate African Americans (e.g., Alabama State University, Morgan State University, and Texas Southern University){{USC|20|1061}}
2. Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) – institutions that do not meet the legal definition of HBCUs, but primarily serve African Americans. Eligibility is based on serving an undergraduate population that is both low income (at least 50% receiving Title IV needs-based assistance) and in which African American students constitute at least 40% {{USC|20|1059e}} (e.g., Georgia State University, Trinity Washington University, Community College of Philadelphia).{{cite web |first= Brandy |last= Jones |title= Predominantly Black Institutions: Pathways to Black Student Educational Attainment |work= Center for Minority Serving Institutions |url=https://cmsi.gse.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/PBIs.pdf }}
3. Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) – institutions that serve an undergraduate population that is both low income (at least 50% receiving Title IV needs-based assistance) and in which Hispanic students constitute at least 25%{{USC|20|1101a}} (e.g., University of Texas at El Paso, Fresno Pacific University, and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley).Garcia, G. A. (2019). [https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Hispanic-Serving-Institutions-Opportunities-Universities/dp/1421427370 Becoming Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Opportunities for Colleges and Universities]. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.
4. Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCU) – institutions of higher education which are formally controlled, or have been formally sanctioned, or chartered, by the governing body of a Native American tribe{{USC|20|1059c}} (e.g., Diné College).Ginger Stull, Demetrios Spyridakis, Marybeth Gasman, Andrés Castro Samayoa, & Yvette Booker, [https://repository.upenn.edu/gse_pubs/345/ Redefining Success: How Tribal Colleges and Universities Build Nations, Strengthen Sovereignty, and Persevere through Challenges]. Philadelphia, PA: Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions, 2015.Todd Lundberg, Marybeth Gasman, Clif Conrad, Thai-Huy Nguyen, & Felecia Commodore, “[https://muse.jhu.edu/article/704813/pdf Redefining the Matriculation of Underprepared Students: The Case of Developmental Math Education at Chief Dull Knife College],” Review of Higher Education (2018).
5. Native American Non-Tribal Institutions (NANTI) – institutions other than TCUs that serve an undergraduate population that is both low income (at least 50% receiving Title IV needs-based assistance) and in which American Indian students constitute at least 10%{{USC|20|1067q}} (e.g., Southeastern Oklahoma State University).
6. Alaskan Native or Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNH or ANNHSI) – institutions that serve an undergraduate population that is both low income (at least 50% receiving Title IV needs-based assistance) and in which Alaska Native students constitute at least 20% or Hawaiian Native students constitute at least 10%{{USC|20|1059d}} (e.g., University of Alaska Fairbanks and University of Hawaii at Manoa).
7. Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) – institutions that serve an undergraduate population that is both low income (at least 50% receiving Title IV needs-based assistance) and in which Asian American or Native American Pacific Islander students constitute at least 10%{{USC|20|1059g}} (e.g., California State University, Los Angeles, NJIT and University of Guam).Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions https://cmsi.gse.rutgers.eduDolly Nguyen, Mike Nguyen, Thai-Huy Nguyen, Marybeth Gasman, and Clif Conrad, “[https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1172998 From Marginalized to Validated: An In-depth Case Study of an Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander Serving Institution],” Review of Higher Education, 41(3), (2018), 327-363.Maramba, D. & Fong, T. (2020). (Eds.). [https://www.amazon.com/Transformative-Practices-Minority-Student-Success/dp/1642670162 Transformative practices for minority student success: Accomplishments of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions.] Stylus Press.

Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) institutions serve a low income undergraduate population (at least 50% receiving Title IV needs-based assistance){{USC|20|1058}} and are eligible for federal funding under Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965. However, as there are no requirements for minority enrollment under Title III Part A, in some cases these institutions may or may not be considered MSIs.

Specific Executive Orders currently referencing MSIs include:

{{refbegin|30em|indent=}}

• {{hanging indent |text=E.O. 13779; White House Initiative To Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (February 28, 2017).{{Federal Register|82|12499}}}}
• {{hanging indent |text=E.O. 13230; White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans (October 17, 2001).{{Federal Register|66|52841}}}}
• {{hanging indent |text=E.O. 13270; Tribal Colleges and Universities (July 3, 2002).{{Federal Register|67|45288}}}}
• {{hanging indent |text=E.O. 13592; Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Educational Opportunities and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities (December 2, 2011) (revokes E.O. 12270).{{Federal Register|76|76603}}}}
• {{hanging indent |text=E.O. 14049; White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities (October 11, 2021) (supersedes E.O. 13592){{Federal Register|86|57313}}}}
• {{hanging indent |text=E.O. 13336; American Indian and Alaska Native Education (April 30, 2004).{{Federal Register|69|25293}}}}
• {{hanging indent |text=E.O. 13515; Increasing Federal Programs for Asian American Pacific Islanders (October 19, 2009).{{Federal Register|74|53635}}}}
• {{hanging indent |text=E.O. 13078; Increasing Employment of Adults with Disabilities (March 18, 1998).{{Federal Register|63|13111}}}}
• {{hanging indent |text=Amendment to E.O. 13078; To Expand the Role of the National Task Force on Employment of Adults With Disabilities To Include a Focus on Youth (October 27, 2000).{{Federal Register|65|64577}}}}

{{refend}}

{{reflist|30em|refs=

{{cite book |date=2009 |editor1-last=Warner |editor1-first=Linda Sue |editor2-last=Gipp |editor2-first=Gerald E. |title= Tradition and Culture in the Millennium: Tribal Colleges and Universities |location=Charlotte, North Carolina |publisher=Information Age Publishers }} {{ISBN|978-1-6075-2989-7|1-6075-2989-0}}; {{OCLC|694147311}}.

{{cite book |date=November 2015 |last1=Rochat |first1=Angela |title=Fostering Empowerment: Supporting Student Success at Native American Serving, Non-Tribal Institutions |url= https://cmsi.gse.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/MSI_AIANrprt_R3.pdf |url-status=live |location=Philadelphia |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education |access-date=May 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130164649/https://cmsi.gse.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/MSI_AIANrprt_R3.pdf |archive-date=January 30, 2025}}

}}

{{refbegin|30em|indent=}}

• {{cite web |title=Minority Institution site for the U.S. Department of Education |url=https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302193954/https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst.html |archive-date=March 2, 2024}}
• {{cite web |date=28 April 2011 |title=Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Intern Program |url=http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ahr/jobs_careers/student_programs/minority/index.cfm |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration |accessdate=13 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817055024/http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ahr/jobs_careers/student_programs/minority/index.cfm |archive-date=August 17, 2012}}
• {{cite book |last=Li|first=Xiaojie|author2=C. Dennis Carroll |date=November 2007 |title="Characteristics of Minority-Serving Institutions and Minority Undergraduates Enrolled in These Institutions: Postsecondary Education Descriptive Analysis Report" |url=http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2008/2008156.pdf |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, US Department of Education }} {{OCLC|191868718}}.

{{refend}}

Category:Race and education in the United States

Category:Education policy