Given the financial burden many students bear paying for college, schools should be intentional about financial support that helps students not just gain access, but persist, said Brown.
Out of over 500 applicants, TMCF selected 50 students from 10 HBCUs to compete in the weekend-long challenge. In addition to hearing from Ally CEO Jeff Brown, the students will participate in mentoring sessions, hear from local business leaders, and attend financial education classes.
The annual TMCF event for member-school presidents and chancellors will include sessions on the TMCF value proposition, HBCU sustainability, capital financing for HBCUs, capacity building opportunities, and the advocacy agenda for the new 116th Congress.
The problems are most pronounced at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), which have been plagued by years of slow growth, and more recently, declines in enrollment.
Engaging with presidents and chancellors from TMCF’s 47-member institutions on issues of HBCU sustainability and competitiveness, the junior senator from California noted the influence her experience at her alma mater Howard University had on her life.
HBCU chiefs are pushing for support for their schools on the Hill during their annual fly-in.