Update on Federal Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) Grant Programs
Posted September 11, 2025
Dear SMCCCD Community,
Yesterday, we received notification from the U.S. Department of Education announcing it will discontinue further funding for our Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) programs. The timing of this announcement, during our campus celebrations of National HSIs Week, makes this news especially difficult.
These grants provided more than $2 million annually to SMCCCD in support of programs designed to strengthen academic services, student success, and institutional development. The funding will be discontinued by the end of September 2026.
This past January, we anticipated this possibility and enacted a hiring freeze such that we would not replace or create new positions using federal funds. Now, our college presidents will be activating local contingency plans to support our impacted employees.
Although the loss of these federal resources will require adjustments, we remain steadfast in supporting the innovative programs and services that continue to benefit our most vulnerable populations while aligning with our available resources. We stand strong in our commitment to our college missions rooted in equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Campus leadership will keep you informed as we work through this transition. As noted in my recent budget memo, we will continue to monitor federal program funding in anticipation of further action from the U.S. Department of Education.
In solidarity,
Melissa Moreno, J.D.
Chancellor
San Mateo County Community College District