Understanding Serving Def: Defining Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are specifically defined under Title V of the Higher Education Act. These are identified as not-for-profit higher education institutions where the undergraduate student body, in full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment, is at least 25 percent Hispanic. This Serving Definition is crucial for federal designations and funding opportunities aimed at supporting Hispanic students and the institutions that serve them.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), a leading voice for HSIs, utilizes two distinct lists of HSIs. These lists are based on different serving definitions tailored for specific purposes, whether it’s for advocacy efforts or membership criteria.

Federal Serving Definition for Advocacy and Research

For advocacy and research purposes, HACU adheres to the “List of HSIs” which strictly follows the serving definition outlined in Title V of the Higher Education Act. This definition is pivotal for determining eligibility for federal programs and funding opportunities designed for HSIs.

The U.S. Department of Education, prompted by HACU’s advocacy, now publishes a list of eligible Hispanic-Serving Institutions. This list serves as a resource for institutions seeking to compete for HSI-related federal funding. You can find this list on the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Division webpage: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/hsidivision.htm
Prior to the official list from the Department of Education, HACU’s List of HSIs was the primary resource, publicly available online and based on the federal serving definition. This list is compiled using data from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
In line with the federal serving definition, HACU includes only non-profit institutions that are eligible for Title IV federal student financial aid. This ensures that the focus remains on institutions primarily serving students and committed to educational access.
To accurately calculate the Hispanic enrollment percentage, HACU employs a custom methodology. This involves calculating the undergraduate full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment by race/ethnicity, as defined by IPEDS. Further calculations determine the Hispanic FTE enrollment for each institution, with the percentage rounded to one decimal place for precision (e.g., 25.56% becomes 25.6%).
Adhering to the federal requirement of a minimum 25.0% Hispanic FTE threshold, HACU’s list includes only those institutions meeting or exceeding this percentage in their FTE enrollment.

HACU Membership Serving Definition

For the purpose of HACU membership, the serving definition broadens slightly. HSIs are defined as colleges, universities, or systems/districts where the total Hispanic enrollment constitutes at least 25% of the total headcount enrollment. This membership-focused serving definition acknowledges institutions with significant Hispanic student representation across all levels of study.

“Total Enrollment” for membership includes both full-time and part-time students, encompassing undergraduate and graduate levels, including professional schools. This provides a comprehensive view of Hispanic student presence within the institution.
Enrollment statistics for membership are self-reported by the institution for the fall semester preceding the membership year. For example, institutions joining in 2009 provided enrollment data from Fall 2008. This ensures the membership list reflects current Hispanic student representation.
HACU’s HSI member institutions are publicly listed on HACU’s website, offering a directory of institutions committed to serving Hispanic students: http://www.hacu.net/assnfe/CompanyDirectory.asp?STYLE=2&COMPANY_TYPE=1,5&SEARCH_TYPE=0

Listing as an HSI by HACU, under either serving definition, does not automatically “certify” an institution as an HSI for Title V or other Federal grant purposes. Title V eligibility, based on meeting the federal serving definition, is determined by the U.S. Department of Education as an initial step in the Title V grant application process. Specifically, an “eligible institution” for Title V is one that has (1) a full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment of undergraduate students that is at least 25 percent Hispanic students and (2) at least 50 percent of all enrolled students are eligible for need-based Title IV aid.

Eligibility designation enables an institution of higher education to be considered for grants under Title V and Title III, Part A, Programs, provided other program-specific requirements are also met. Title V specifically authorizes the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program. Title III, Part A, authorizes programs aimed at Strengthening Institutions, American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions. Both programs are administered by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Institutional Development and Undergraduate Education Service. Their website offers further details on these programs and eligibility criteria.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), established in 1986, represents a network of over 500 colleges and universities across the United States, Latin America, Spain, and school districts within the U.S. HACU provides programs and services accessible to all students, faculty, and staff at HACU-member institutions. The Association is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Washington, D.C., Sacramento, California, and Chicago, Illinois, reflecting its national reach and impact.