Richmond, VA – Ahead of Friday’s one-year anniversary of President Joe Biden signing the American Rescue Plan into law, new data from the Department of Education show that Virginia received $141 million in critical funding for Virginia’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This comes after Governor Youngkin on the campaign trail called the American Rescue Plan “unnecessary” and said he thinks it “absolutely is wrong.” This begs the question, Does Governor Youngkin still think Biden’s American Rescue Plan funding Virginia's HBCUs is unnecessary?  

Virginia’s schools have benefited greatly from the bill and have received a total of $948 million for 120 colleges and universities, including HBCUs, community colleges, and Minority-Serving Institutions. The funds allow Virginia to provide direct financial support to students at risk of dropping out, help keep college prices low, and continue to employ faculty and staff. 

HBCUs in Virginia receiving American Rescue Plan funds include:

• Norfolk State University: $52,248,428

• Virginia State University: $39,482,142

• Hampton University: $31,205,244

• Virginia Union University: $11,866,504

• Virginia University of Lynchburg: $6,322,150

“President Biden’s and Democrats’ American Rescue Plan has provided Virginia's HBCUs with millions in funding, allowing our universities to thrive and for our students to receive a quality education,” said DPVA spokesperson Gianni Snidle. “On the campaign trail, Governor Youngkin was clear where he stands with the American-Rescue Plan. Virginians, especially students at HBCUs deserve to know whether Governor Youngkin still thinks this essential funding is ‘unnecessary’.”

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