Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are specifically defined within Title V of the Higher Education Act as non-profit higher education institutions. The core criterion for this designation is that these institutions must have a full-time equivalent (FTE) undergraduate student enrollment where at least 25 percent of students are Hispanic. This federal definition is crucial for determining eligibility for various programs and funding opportunities aimed at supporting these institutions and the communities they serve.
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) plays a significant role in the HSI landscape, maintaining two distinct lists of HSIs. These lists cater to different purposes: one for advocacy and research, and another for membership within HACU.
HACU’s Definition for Advocacy and Research
For advocacy and research purposes, HACU adheres to the definition outlined in Title V of the Higher Education Act. This “List of HSIs” is frequently requested as a reference, and since 2016, the U.S. Department of Education has also published a list of eligible HSIs, largely due to HACU’s ongoing advocacy. These institutions are then eligible to compete for federal funding specifically allocated to HSIs. The U.S. Department of Education’s list is available on the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Division webpage.
Prior to the official list from the Department of Education, HACU’s List of HSIs was a primary resource, developed using data from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Following the federal definition, HACU’s list includes only non-profit institutions eligible for Title IV federal student financial aid. To accurately calculate Hispanic enrollment percentages, HACU uses a custom methodology to determine undergraduate full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment by race/ethnicity, ultimately calculating the Hispanic FTE enrollment for each institution. Institutions must meet the minimum 25.0% Hispanic FTE enrollment threshold to be included on this list.
HACU’s Definition for Membership
For membership within HACU, the definition of an HSI broadens slightly. Here, HSIs are defined as colleges, universities, or systems/districts where the total Hispanic enrollment constitutes at least 25% of the total headcount enrollment. This “Total Enrollment” includes both full-time and part-time students, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including professional schools.
It’s important to note that membership enrollment statistics are self-reported by the institutions for the fall semester preceding the membership year. HACU’s website provides a directory of HSI member institutions.
Eligibility vs. Certification
It is critical to understand that being listed as an HSI by HACU, on either list, does not automatically “certify” an institution as an HSI for Title V or other Federal grant purposes. Title V eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Education as an initial step in the Title V grant application process. An institution is considered “eligible” for Title V if it 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 students are eligible for need-based Title IV aid.
This eligibility designation opens the door for institutions of higher education to apply for grants under Title V and Title III, Part A, Programs, provided they meet other program-specific requirements. Title V specifically authorizes the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program, while Title III, Part A, authorizes programs aimed at Strengthening Institutions and supporting Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and Native-serving institutions. Both programs are administered by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Institutional Development and Undergraduate Education Service, which offers further details on their website.
About HACU
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), established in 1986, represents over 500 colleges and universities across the United States, Latin America, Spain, and school districts in the U.S. HACU’s programs and services are available to all students, faculty, and staff at HACU-member institutions. HACU is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Washington, D.C., Sacramento, California, and Chicago, Illinois.
Understanding the definition of Hispanic-Serving Institutions is crucial for institutions seeking to serve their Hispanic student populations effectively and access relevant federal and organizational support. The nuanced definitions provided by both the U.S. Department of Education and HACU ensure that institutions genuinely serving a significant Hispanic student body are recognized and supported.
