Protecting Postsecondary Attainment in Arizona
Arizona’s future depends on increasing postsecondary attainment for all students. But recent federal action threatens that goal. On September 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it plans to withhold approximately $350 million in discretionary grant funding, already allocated by Congress, for colleges and universities that serve large populations of historically underserved students. This includes withholding more than $250 million intended for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) as well as funding for institutions serving significant numbers of Black, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native American students.
Why Hispanic-Serving Institutions Matter for Arizona Students and Communities
Hispanic-Serving Institutions are critical to Arizona’s higher education system and include 19 institutions statewide, both community colleges and all three public universities. Hispanic students make up approximately 50% of Arizona’s K12 student population and providing all students with opportunities to increase attainment is vital for the Arizona economy and workforce.
HSIs serve at least 25% Hispanic students and have historically benefited from decades of bipartisan support. Many students attending these schools are the first in their family to go to college or come from low-income backgrounds. These institutions use federal grants to provide wraparound services for students like tutoring, academic advising, lab and technology equipment, and peer mentoring, which are instrumental in individuals successfully reaching graduation. Without this funding, many students will lose access to the resources they need to succeed. These support services not only assist underserved students, but help ALL students to succeed and achieve their education goals.
Arizona cannot afford to step backward on education progress.
Funding cuts will disproportionately impact students from under-resourced backgrounds and threaten Arizona’s ability to meet its education and workforce goals. The state’s economic growth depends on a well-educated workforce and cutting funding for institutions that educate a large share of students of color and economically disadvantaged students undermine the ability to close attainment gaps and reach the Achieve60AZ goal. Reduced attainment means fewer skilled workers, lower incomes, and greater inequality for the state.
Arizona cannot afford to step backward on education progress. Postsecondary education and training are one of the surest pathways out of poverty and into a thriving future. Furthermore, polling completed by Education Forward Arizona shows that voters from all walks of life support ALL students having access to high quality education across the state.
Please take a few minutes today to email or call your Federal elected officials to advocate for education in Arizona. This funding was already allocated by Congress, and students deserve the services they need to succeed. Together, we can ensure Arizona continues to open doors for all students rather than close them.