Trump proposes returning Howard University to 2021 budget levels, with hospital complete

Correction: The Trump administration is proposing ending funding to Howard University related to the construction of a hospital. The information was incorrect in an earlier version of this story.

The Trump administration is proposing not to renew a $64 million payment to Howard University. The money, a one time payment made to build the Howard University Hospital, is no longer needed with construction complete, the administration said in its budget proposal released Friday.

Howard is the nation’s only federally chartered historically Black college or university (HBCU).

The budget proposal comes days after Trump signed an order establishing a White House initiative on HBCUs to “deliver high-quality education to a growing number of students.” Earlier this week, the president also told NewsNation that HBCUs should not be concerned about federal funding cuts to their budgets.

“I got them more money than they ever dreamt possible, and they’re in great shape now,” Trump said, referring to the 2019 bipartisan bill that permanently provides more than $250 million a year to HBCUs.

“They have long-term financing,” he added. “Nobody did that but Donald Trump.”

Still, HBCUs receive significantly less funding than predominantly white institutions. Black land-grant universities have been underfunded by more than $12 billion over the past 30 years, according to a 2022 Forbes analysis.

“The University is aware of the Trump Administration’s proposed funding recommendations for Howard University—one of the nation’s premier historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs)—as part of the discretionary funding levels for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026,” Howard University said in a statement to The Hill.

“As a leading HBCU, Howard, has since its founding in 1867, cultivated talent, unlocked opportunity, and contributed mightily to every sector of American life. The University continues to do so as a top-tier Research 1 institution and a leading contributor to social and economic mobility for our graduates.

“We look forward to engaging to sustain the FY 2026 budget to at least the level provided in FY 2025, ensuring the continued advancement of our mission and the legacy of academic excellence that defines Howard University.”

—Updated at 8:13 p.m. EDT