Historically Black universities are receiving a significant portion of the more than $4 million in grants recently allocated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for helping Division I schools provide academic support to student-athletes.
Last week, the NCAA announced that nine schools, including six HBCUs, are recipients of Accelerating Academic Success Program grants, which support institutions in their efforts to satisfy requirements of the Division I Academic Performance Program. The program “was developed to ensure schools provide an environment that supports education while enhancing the ability of student-athletes to earn a degree,” according to the NCAA.
Recipients of the three-year Accelerating Academic Success Program Comprehensive Grants are Alcorn State University ($900,000), California State University, Bakersfield ($870,686), Hampton University ($675,000), Florida A&M University ($675,000), Delaware State University ($449,850) and North Carolina A&T State University ($277,284.38).
“The comprehensive grants will be … used to fund increased academic support services staffing and space; technology upgrades (software and hardware); career planning; professional development; and increased availability of summer financial aid for student-athletes,” the NCAA said in a statement.
Schools can seek a maximum of $300,000 annually for three years. Grant recipient schools are required to match grant dollars each year of the program. In the first year, the school must make a 25-percent match. A 50-percent match is required in the second year and 75-percent match in the third year.
Recipients of the single-year Accelerated Academic Success Program Initiatives Grants are California State University, Northridge ($100,000), Idaho State University ($8,333.33) and Texas Southern University ($80,608).
