Undergraduate Programs

Title III HBCU Program
Scope and Purpose

In the Higher Education Act of 1965, there were more than eight (8) Titles or Sections. Title III was an effort by the U. S. Congress to fund a grant to enhance institutions. According to Congress, Title III stands for, "Strengthening Developing Institutions". Congress defined the purpose of Title III as follows:

"The purpose of this Title is to assist in raising the academic quality of colleges, which have the desire and potential to make a substantial contribution to higher education resources of our nation, but which for financial and other reasons are struggling for survival and are isolated from the main current of academic life......"

The U. S. Department of Education, Institutional Development and Undergraduate Education Services administer the Title III Program. The Title III Program supports the Department of Education's commitment to improve educational opportunities for minorities and the disadvantaged. Funding is focused on institutions that enroll large proportions of disadvantaged students. The Title III Program provides financial assistance to enable eligible institutions to solve problems that threaten their ability to survive, to stabilize their management and fiscal operations, and to build endowments. An important objective of the Title III Program is to help participating institutions improve their academic programs and management and become financially independent in order to increase their self-sufficiency and strengthen their capacity to make a substantial contribution to the higher education resources of the Nation.

At North Carolina A & T State University, Title III Coordination comes under the auspices of the Division of Academic Affairs. The Title III Coordinator reports directly to the Vice Chancellor of the Division. All activity directors report to the Title III Coordinator on any matter relative to their Title III activity and if they are in departments, school or other units, they also report to their respective department chairpersons, deans, or unit heads. The rationale for this relationship is to ensure that these activities are not operating in isolation. By having full cooperation of all components of the University, Title III has a larger impact and is more likely to be continued with local resources once Title III funding expires.

North Carolina A & T State University is funded under Part B - Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Program. Part B funds are awarded through a formula process to institutions, which have been identified as Historically Black Colleges or Universities (as specified in the regulations). The amount of funding for Part B institutions is determined by data submitted to the Department of Education in Phase I of the application process. The Phase I formula process is driven by three factors:

the number of Pell recipients attending the university at the end of the school year immediately preceding the beginning of the fiscal year in which the university applies for a grant,
the number of graduates attending the university at the end of the school year immediately preceding the beginning of the fiscal year in which the university applies for a grant, and
the number of graduates from the past five years who are currently enrolled in a graduate or professional school.

Title III proposals are submitted to the Department of Education on a five-year cycle. However, continuation applications are submitted on an annual basis, which must include a summary of activity accomplishments that have taken place during the current year award and budget/budget notes for the following year. The last five-year cycle began October 1, 1997 and will end on September 30, 2002. Funds can be used to support the following activities:

Purchase, rental, or lease of scientific or laboratory equipment for educational purposes, including instructional and research purposes.
Construction, maintenance, renovation, and improvement in classroom, library, laboratory, and other instructional facilities, including purchase or rental of telecommunications technology equipment or services.
Support of faculty exchanges, and faculty development and faculty fellowships to assist in attaining advanced degrees in their field of instruction.
Academic instruction in disciplines in which Black Americans are underrepresented.
Purchase of library books, periodicals, microfilm, and other educational materials, including telecommunications program materials.
Tutoring, counseling, and student service programs designed to improve academic success.
Funds and administrative management, and acquisition of equipment for use in strengthening funds management.
Joint use of facilities, such as laboratories and libraries.
Establishing or improving a development office to strengthen or improve contributions from alumni and the private sector.
Establishing or enhancing a program of teacher education designed to qualify students to teach in a public elementary or secondary school in the State that shall include, as part of such program, preparation for teacher certification.
Other activities proposed in the application submitted pursuant to Section 325 that contribute to carrying out the purposes of this part; and are approved by the Secretary as part of the review and acceptance of such application.

Some UNALLOWABLE Title III HBCU costs include:

Advertising and public relations designed solely to promote the institution
Promotional items and memorabilia, including models, gifts and souvenirs
Convocations or other events related to instruction or other institutional activities
Alumni activities and similar services
Entertainment (amusement, social activities, tickets to shows or sports events, etc.)
Lobbying
Goods or services for personal use
Organized fund raising (financial campaign, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts or bequests)
Membership in any civic, country club, social/dining or community organization
Student recruitment
Student activities (intramural, student publications, clubs or other student activities)