Highly Educated Congressman Introduces Legislation to Create New Grant Program for Predominantly Black Colleges

Democratic Congressman Danny K. Davis of Chicago has introduced legislation that would give the secretary of education broad authority to issue grants of at least $250,000 to increase higher educational opportunities for low-income black students. The Predominantly Black Institution Act of 2007 authorizes $25 million each year for grants to institutions with 1,000 or more undergraduates and where at least 50 percent of the students qualify for low-income federal student financial aid. No more than half the funds can be used for construction and no more than 20 percent of the money can be used to increase the institution’s endowment.

Congressman Davis has a keen interest in higher education. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and holds a master’s degree from Chicago State University and a doctorate from the Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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