Ten community colleges and universities across Arizona are facing a collective loss of at least $13 million after the Trump administration cut discretionary grant funding for minority-serving institutions. The decision has forced schools to dismantle support programs that were demonstrably improving student success, leaving thousands of students and staff members in a state of uncertainty.
The funding was designated for institutions that serve high percentages of Hispanic and Native American students. Administrators at the affected schools report that the sudden loss of resources will directly impact services like tutoring, personalized advising, and career readiness programs designed to help underserved students graduate and find employment.
Key Takeaways
- At least 10 Arizona colleges and universities have lost over $13 million in federal grants.
- The cuts target discretionary funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTIs).
- Successful student support programs are being shut down, affecting thousands of students.
- College administrators and students express frustration over the abrupt decision and its impact on first-generation and low-income learners.
The Scope of the Funding Cuts
The funding cuts impact nearly half of Arizona's 25 eligible minority-serving institutions (MSIs). These schools qualify for federal grants by meeting specific enrollment thresholds, such as having at least 25% Hispanic students for HSI status or 10% Native American students for NASNTI status. The grants are competitive and are not guaranteed.
Many of the grants were awarded as five-year commitments, typically around $3 million per institution, or $600,000 annually. The administration's decision has terminated these grants mid-cycle, leaving colleges with significant budget shortfalls for programs already in operation.
By the Numbers
- $13 million+: The minimum confirmed loss for Arizona institutions.
- 10: The number of colleges and universities affected so far.
- 23: Arizona schools that qualify as Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
- 194,000: Full-time undergraduates enrolled in Arizona's HSIs.
- 10,000: Students in the Maricopa Community College District who will see fewer support services.
Institutions affected include the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, and several colleges within the Maricopa Community College District, such as Chandler-Gilbert, Glendale, and Rio Salado College. Pima Community College, where about half the student body is Hispanic or Latino, is also facing the cancellation of a $3 million grant.
Student Support Programs Now in Jeopardy
The terminated funds were not used for general operating costs but for specific programs designed to boost student retention and success. These initiatives often provide crucial support for first-generation, low-income, and minority students navigating the challenges of higher education.
Real-World Impact on Campus
At Northern Arizona University (NAU), a $3 million grant was used to launch Comunidad, Cultura y Conexión (C3), a program providing support for first-generation and Hispanic students. Peer mentor Ale Ortiz Leyva, a sophomore, was told the program would not continue beyond its first year.
“It was just disappointment and frustration that a program that I know is doing a lot of good—because I work with the students one-on-one—is no longer going to exist,” Ortiz Leyva said.
She explained that the program helped students feel safer and more connected on campus, which in turn helped them succeed academically. “It takes programs like this for you to realize that,” she added.
At Rio Salado College, a grant funded academic life coaches who worked directly with students. Clarice Wziatek, a coach whose position was grant-funded, helped students create academic plans and connected them with campus resources.
Early data from her program showed significant positive results: students who participated had fewer class withdrawals, fewer failing grades, and saw their GPAs climb by 20%. The loss of funding puts these proven results at risk.
Administrators Scramble to Fill the Gaps
College officials have expressed shock and frustration at the sudden termination of funds, which they say was done with little warning or consideration for the students who depend on these services. Many are now trying to find alternative funding to minimize disruption.
What are Minority-Serving Institutions?
Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) are colleges and universities that enroll a significant percentage of students from minority groups. Designations like Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) or Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI) allow them to apply for federal grants intended to help improve the educational outcomes for all students at that institution, not just those from a specific demographic.
Rachelle Clarke, a grant administrator at Rio Salado College, described the cuts as a “shock.” She said the decision suggests that “the value of our work, the value of our impact on students doesn’t seem to be at the forefront of their agenda.”
At Chandler-Gilbert Community College, a similar grant funded four specialists who each managed a caseload of 350 students. According to grant administrator Laura Latimer, the college will only be able to retain two specialists, effectively doubling their workload to 700 students each.
“You cannot double a case load and be as effective. It’s just, the math is not there,” Latimer stated, emphasizing that the quality of student support will inevitably decline. “Student success should not be politicized.”
Pima Community College reported that about $1.8 million of a $3 million Title V grant was canceled. A spokesperson confirmed the college is advocating for the restoration of funds but acknowledged that the “long-term sustainability of programs at Pima Community College cannot depend on uncertain state and federal funding streams.”
Broader Implications for Arizona's Workforce
The cuts come as Arizona works to build a skilled workforce to meet the demands of a growing economy. The affected institutions are primary pipelines for local talent, and the support programs were designed to help students complete their degrees and enter high-demand fields.
Mike Hoa Nguyen, principal investigator of the MSI Data Project at UCLA, called the impact “huge and devastating,” noting the disproportionate effect on low-income and first-generation students. He described the abrupt loss of resources as “horrible and misguided.”
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs sent a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, urging the restoration of funds and estimating the potential losses could be as high as $18 million. The governor called the institutions “part of the fabric of Arizona’s higher education system.”
The administration's rationale for the cuts alleges the funding was tied to “discriminatory racial and ethnic quotas.” However, advocacy groups and college officials maintain the grants are race-conscious but not race-exclusive, benefiting the entire student body by improving institutional capacity. As colleges face these financial shortfalls, the focus remains on the thousands of students who have just lost a vital support system for their academic journey.