Introduction | Advocacy | Serving Institutions | How To Apply 

Background

Although Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are one of the fastest growing communities in the United States, they are often completely forgotten in many higher education assistance programs that target minority students. According to Congressman Robert A. Underwood (D) of Guam, “Asian American and Pacific Islanders are left behind in numerous programs which help minority students bridge the gap to higher education attainment.” In the current Higher Education Act, grants and funding are established for institutions that serve many minority groups. So far, the Department of Education has the power to assist minority-serving higher education institutions for Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, Native Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives. While this umbrella covers many groups, most of the APA community are left out in the rain. The AANAPISI amendment to the Higher Education Bill introduced by Congressman Underwood recognizes and currently works to address this discrepancy.