Money for minority and low-income students on chopping block
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A program designed to help minority and first-generation low-income students succeed in college may be on the chopping block.
Why it matters: Indiana has struggled to boost its college-going rate, with just over half of high school graduates choosing to continue onto higher education.
- Increasing the number of minority, first-generation and low-income students going to college has been one of the state's strategies to boost educational attainment, as those groups tend to be underrepresented.
Driving the news: Gov. Mike Braun's budget proposal eliminates funding for the College Success Program, created by lawmakers in 2023 with a $2.5 million annual appropriation.
- It also eliminates a $2.5 million annual appropriation for Martin University, the state's only predominantly Black higher education institution.
How it works: The College Success Program, administered by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, has funded college success coaches at nearly two dozen campuses.
- They work primarily with 21st Century Scholars, helping them adjust on campus and supporting their persistence through to graduation.
- The Indiana University system, awarded 12 coaches, saw more bachelor's degrees earned and increased retention rates at most of its campuses.
What they're saying: Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, said Braun's proposal is "wrong on so many levels."
- "The last administration realized that this funding would give students of color an equal chance at success," Porter said in a statement. "It was less than a century ago when Black students couldn't live in dorms, had to eat on separate sides of the dining room and couldn't swim in the university pool."
- "Sadly, this decision will continue to kill the hopes, dreams and aspirations of many students."
The other side: Braun's office did not respond to a request for comment.
Flashback: Former Gov. Eric Holcomb first proposed the funding, putting $10 million for Martin in his 2023 spending plan.
- House Republicans honored that request, provided the money was used for education for high-demand professions.
- But Senate Republicans supported the College Success Program, and the final compromise budget divided funding between Martin and the wider program.
Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, told Axios this week it's too early in the budget process to say what his caucus will do, but he still supports the College Success Program.
- He said the Martin appropriation was a "one-time investment."
- A spokesperson for Martin University did not respond to a request for comment.
Reality check: Braun's proposal is the very beginning of budget negotiations.
- The House will introduce its own budget in the coming weeks, followed by the Senate in the second half of the legislative session.
- A final budget deal won't be struck until April, likely in the final days of the session.