Trump Wants to Cut Tribal College Funding by Nearly 90%, Putting Them at Risk of Closing

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The Trump administration is suggesting a significant cut in funding for tribal colleges and universities, potentially leading to the closure of these institutions serving Indigenous students impacted by historical mistreatment. The budget request from the Department of the Interior to Congress proposes reducing postsecondary program funding from over $182 million to slightly above $22 million by 2026. This move would greatly affect the 37 tribal colleges and universities in the nation, according to Ahniwake Rose, president of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium.

ProPublica previously revealed that tribal colleges were being underfunded by $250 million annually, with the Bureau of Indian Education failing to seek full funding as required by law. The proposed cuts by the Trump administration would exacerbate the financial strain on these colleges, say tribal education leaders. Despite the challenges, tribal colleges have managed to uphold Indigenous languages, conduct research, and provide vocational training, although they struggle with aging infrastructure and limited funding.

Tribal college leaders expressed shock over the potential funding cuts, emphasizing the critical role these institutions play in their communities. Congress will ultimately decide on the budget, and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández highlighted the significance of tribal colleges as essential educational resources in Indian Country. The proposed reductions come amid a series of financial setbacks for tribal colleges in recent times, prompting concerns about the impact on Native students and communities.