The U.S. Department of Education's Title III Program, also known as the Strengthening Institutions Program, is a federal grant program designed to support institutions of higher education that serve a significant portion of low-income students. The program aims to improve the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible schools, enabling them to better serve their students, enhancing their capacity to make a substantial contribution to the higher education resources of our nation and, ultimately, expanding access to higher education for disadvantaged students.
The Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended, is the federal law that mandates the Title III Program and its funding. The HEA was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson as part of his Great Society domestic agenda, which aimed to eliminate poverty and racial injustice in the United States.
SC State Title III Programs
South Carolina State University has two programs funded under the Title III Strengthening Grants Program: (1) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Part B and (2) Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE ACT) Part F. Each program has funded programs and projects designed to help meet strategic goals of the University, with priorities based on long-range plans and institutional priorities. These initiatives have focused on enhancing academic quality, improving student retention and graduation rates, investing in cutting-edge technology, upgrading and modernizing facilities, faculty development, strengthening institutional management, and improving fiscal stability. By aligning Title III funding with the University's strategic objectives, the Title III Program Administration Office has played a crucial role in supporting the institution's mission and ensuring its continued success.
Key Aspects of the Title III Program
- Eligibility: Institutions must meet specific requirements, such as having a high enrollment of needy students, low educational and general expenditures, and a low per full-time equivalent student ratio.
- Funding: Grants are awarded competitively to eligible institutions and can be used for various purposes, such as faculty and curriculum development, student support services, and the improvement of institutional management.
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges: The program provides specific support for HBCUs and Tribal Colleges, acknowledging their unique roles and the challenges they face in serving their communities.
- Focus areas: The program supports projects that improve academic quality, strengthen institutional management, enhance fiscal stability, and build endowment funds.
- Long-term impact: The goal of the Title III Program is to help institutions become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students, ultimately contributing to the broader higher education landscape in the United States.
Contact Us
For more information about the Title III program at South Carolina State University, contact the Title III Administration Office at 803-536-8330 or visit us on the 2nd Floor of the Crawford-Zimmerman Building.