BIPOC Serving Institutions
BIPOC-Serving Colleges & Universities
This section of this page contains a variety of resources that can help students gleam information on institutions that specifically serve Black, Indigenous, & People of Color (BIPOC) - identifying students. Colleges and Universities covered in this section fall in three categories:
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Many HBCUs have been around in our country for a long time, some as far back as the early 1800s. They have rich histories and traditions. As a result, many HBCUs have student populations that are predominantly Black. This means that students on these campus could be Black American or Black-identifying people from anywhere across the world, and the campuses might feel like affinity spaces for those students. Even though HBCUs usually have predominantly Black student bodies, they still accept students that might identify as other races.
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)
In order to be considered an HSI, a school must have 25% of its enrolled students identify as Latinx or Hispanic. HSI schools differ from HBCUs in that their campuses will not always have students that identify as Latinx or Hispanic in the majority. For this reason, many larger colleges with diverse student populations are considered HSIs. Nevertheless, each of these schools provides representational coursework, programming, and/or clubs to Latinx or Hispanic-identifying students. In fact, over two thirds of all college-going Latinx or Hispanic-identifying students attend an HSI.
Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)
Many TCUs were begun by a local tribal governments with the purpose of providing a wholistic, supportive education to Native or Indigenous-identifying students. As a result, many TCUs are smaller institutions that have student bodies that tend to be representative of the Indigenous peoples that founded the school. Students seeking to attend a TCU can expect smaller campuses, students that will likely have similar Tribal affiliations, and culturally-relevant coursework.
Asian American & Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)
Similar to HSIs, many AANAPISIs may not have students bodies that are majority Asian-American or Native Pacific Islanders. Like HSIs, many AANAPISIs are schools that serve diverse student populations, but must also maintain a student body with at least 10% of students that identify as Asian-American or Native American Pacific Islander.
These resources should be considered STARTING POINTS as students search for institutions that reflect their cultural values and aspirations. The best resources may still be the specific websites of the schools you're researching.
Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs)
There are over 100 HBCUs across the United States in its territories. These historical institutions, sitting across roughly 25 states, were built with the express intention of providing higher education opportunities to Black peoples looking to deepen their learning and carve out space for themselves in professional and skilled disciplines. That legacy lives on today, as HBCUs continue to serve predominantly Black populations, but maintain open doors to all students looking to pursue higher ed.
All of the HBCUs in the US belong to and receive funding from two networks, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF).
United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
UNCF’s mission is to build a robust and nationally-recognized pipeline of under-represented students who, because of UNCF support, become highly-qualified college graduates and to ensure that our network of member institutions is a respected model of best practice in moving students to and through college.
UNCF’s North Star is to increase the total annual number of African American college graduates by focusing on activities that ensure more students are college-ready, enroll in college and persist to graduation. This is done through a three-pillar strategy. Positioning member institutions as a viable college option for students and investing in institutional capacity to improve student outcomes; creating transformational support programs to ensure students are enrolling and persisting through college completion; building awareness of educational attainment and cultivating college-going behaviors within the African American community.
Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)
Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). Publicly-supported HBCUs enroll over 80% of all students attending HBCUs. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also a source for top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs.
To date the organization has awarded more than $300 million in such assistance to its students and member-schools. TMCF distributes 98% of its awards exclusively to HBCUs and PBIs, which is more than any other organization that supports the Black College Community. TMCF has achieved the highest level of accreditation from two major non-profit review groups: Charity Navigator. TMCF is the place WHERE EDUCATION PAYS OFF.
Examples of HBCUs
You've probably heard of Howard, Hampton, Moorehouse, Spellman, and some of the other coastal and Southern HBCUs. But, there's great HBCUs closer to Minnesota that offer students both quality educations and the unique HBCU experience. Check out some of the schools below by clicking each school's logo image to learn about HBCUs closer to our home state.
Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio
Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio
Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri
Chicago State University in Chicago, Illinois
Additional HBCU Resources
Below you'll find a couple final resources that can assist students interested in applying to HBCUs:
Master HBCU List
This spread sheet contains a list all of the HBCUs in the US and its territories. You can use this list to get a sense of HBCUs' locations; find links to their websites; and quick facts about each. A master list, in addition to pages containing HBCUs by state has been made for the user's convenience.
The Common Black College App:
This tool is similar to the Common App, an application that you can complete once and submit to multiple member schools (for more info on the Common App, click here). The Common Black College App allows students to complete one application that they can then submit to over 50 partnering HBCUs
Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs)
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) was established in 1986 with a founding membership of eighteen institutions. Because of HACU’s exemplary leadership on behalf of the nation’s youngest and fastest-growing population, the Association rapidly grew in numbers and national impact.
Today, HACU represents more than 500 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain and U.S. School Districts. Although our member institutions in the U.S. represent only 17% of all higher education institutions nationwide, together they are home to two-thirds of all Hispanic college students. HACU is the only national educational association that represents Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).
Our nation's economic and social success rests on the level of skills and knowledge attained by Hispanics, now the nation's largest minority population. Everyone has a stake in HACU’s crucial goals: to promote the development of member colleges and universities; to improve access to and the quality of postsecondary educational opportunities for Hispanic students; and to meet the needs of business, industry and government through the development and sharing of resources, information and expertise.
Thousands of young Hispanics benefit from HACU with internships, scholarships, college retention and advancement programs, precollegiate support, and career development opportunities and programs. We truly are the champions of Hispanic success in higher education.
Examples of HSIs
University of Illinois - Chicago in Chicago, Illinois
Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana
Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan
University of Colorado - Denver in Denver, Colorado
Tribal Colleges & Universities (TCUs)
In 1973, the first six American Indian tribally controlled colleges established the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) to provide a support network as they worked to influence federal policies on American Indian higher education. Today, AIHEC has grown to 37 Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in the United States. Each of these institutions was created and chartered by its own tribal government or the federal government for a specific purpose: to provide higher education opportunities to American Indians through programs that are locally and culturally based, holistic, and supportive.
Through AIHEC, Tribal Colleges and Universities continue to work together to influence policy and build programs in all facets of higher education. They receive technical assistance in key areas; network with one another, federal agencies, other institutions, and potential partners; mentor new institutions; and plan new initiatives to address evolving areas of need.
AIHEC provides leadership and influences public policy on American Indian higher education issues through advocacy, research, and program initiatives; promotes and strengthens Indigenous languages, cultures, communities, and tribal nations; and through its unique position, serves member institutions and emerging TCUs.
Colleges that Have Programs with Native Students in Mind (not TCUs)
While the featured schools in this section may not be Tribal Colleges or Universities, they do offer programming, benefits, and coursework that seek to enhance the college-going experience of Native or Indigenous-identifying students.
Unlike traditional TCUs, these schools will have significantly larger student bodies. The students who attend these larger schools may not have any Tribal affiliations. However, Native student groups and clubs may help students find representation they may be seeking on campus!
Check out the schools below to learn about how they support their students!
Bemidji State University Minnesota in Bemidji, Minnesota
University of Minnesota - Morris in Morris, Minnesota
Examples of TCUs
Many of the Tribal Colleges and Universities are smaller institutions that were founded by local Indigenous groups or people with specific tribal affiliations. As a result, many TCUs are small colleges, typically offering 2 Year degrees (Associate's of Arts or Associate's of Science), transfer pathways to local 4 Year Colleges, and/or some 4 Year Bachelor's Degree options. Despite being smaller schools, TCUs offer strong, culturally-relevant programming. The majority of the students at these schools may have specific tribal affiliations, and courses at these schools might work to build students' knowledge around these identities.
Check out a few examples of in-state and nearby TCUs below.
Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, Minnesota
Leech Lake Tribal College in Cass Lake, Minnesota
Oglala Lakota College in Kyle, South Dakota
College of Menominee Nation in Keshena & Green Bay, Wisconsin
Native American College Fair Website
In order to protect everyone’s health, this year, the Native American College Fair Planning Committee did not be have an in-person event, instead they have created a website for Native Youth, their families and community members which features:
Information and videos provided by colleges and universities;
Financial aid opportunities; and...
Videos created by a variety of Native professionals and college students, including a recorded panel of college students discussing their educational experiences. The website can be accessed here and will remain available at least through the end of October.
In addition to the information listed above, the website includes resources for students who are preparing for post-secondary education including lists of training opportunities, pre-college experiences and a question guide for students who speak to admissions representatives.
A drawing for five $25 gift cards will take place on Friday, October 16, 2020 for “attendees” who complete a survey that is available on the website.
Asian American & Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI)
The Asian Pacific-Islander American (APIA) population represents a vast range of demographic characteristics that are distinct from any other racial group in the U.S. in terms of its heterogeneity. For example, more than 48 ethnicities, over 300 spoken languages, various socioeconomic statuses, immigration history and shifts, culture, and religion are represented in the APIA community.
The AANAPISI program, is one of eight federally designated BIPOC Serving Institution (MSI) programs, and was established by Congress in 2007 as part of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. It was expanded in 2008 under the Higher Education Opportunity Act.
The AANAPISI program provides grants and related assistance to AANAPISIs to enable such institutions to improve and expand their capacity to serve Asian Americans and Native American Pacific Islanders and low-income individuals.
For a school to be observed as an AANAPISI institution, or qualify for an AANAPISI grant, the college must have an enrollment of undergraduate students that is at least ten percent Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander students. At least 50% of an applicant institution’s degree-seeking students must receive financial assistance under one or more of the following programs: the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work Study (FWS), or the Federal Perkins Loan.
Examples of AANAPISIs
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN
St. Catherine's University in St. Paul, MN
Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, MN
Loyola University - Chicago in Chicago, IL
