Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7660

Expanding the Definition of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

HBCU Empowerment and Reform Act

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

This bill changes the official legal definition of a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). It moves the cutoff date for when a school must have been founded from 1964 to November 8, 1965.
The change helps schools that were started during that specific one-year window. If these schools meet all other government rules, they will now be eligible for the same federal status and support as older HBCUs.
Being recognized as an HBCU is important because it opens the door to special federal funding and grants. This money can be used for things like improving campus buildings, buying classroom equipment, and supporting student success programs.
McCormick introduced this plan to ensure that schools established around the time the original Higher Education Act was signed are not left out of important government resources.

2 milestones2 actions

Feb 24, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Feb 24, 2026

Introduced in House

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

HBCU Empowerment and Reform Act

Bill NumberHR 7660

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

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