Money for minority and low-income students on chopping block
A program designed to help minority and first-generation low-income students succeed in college may be on the chopping block.
Why it matters: Indiana has struggled to boost its college-going rate, with just over half of high school graduates choosing to continue onto higher education.
Increasing the number of minority, first-generation and low-income students going to college has been one of the state's strategies to boost educational attainment, as those groups tend to be underrepresented.
Driving the news: Gov. Mike Braun's budget proposal eliminates funding for the College Success Program, created by lawmakers in 2023 with a $2.5 million annual appropriation.
It also eliminates a $2.5 million annual appropriation for Martin University, the state's only predominantly Black higher education institution.
How it works: The College Success Program, administered by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, has funded college success coaches at nearly two dozen campuses.
They work primarily with 21st Century Scholars, helping them adjust on campus and supporting their persistence through to graduation.
The Indiana University system, awarded 12 coaches, saw more bachelor's degrees earned and increased retention rates at most of its campuses.
What they're saying: Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, said Braun's proposal is "wrong on so many levels."
"The last administration realized that this funding would give students of color an equal chance at success," Porter said in a statement. "It was less than a century ago when Black students couldn't live in dorms, had to eat on separate sides of the dining room and couldn't swim in the university pool."
"Sadly, this decision will continue to kill the hopes, dreams and aspirations of many students."
The other side: Braun's office did not respond to a request for comment.
Flashback: Former Gov. Eric Holcomb first proposed the funding, putting $10 million for Martin in his 2023 spending plan.
House Republicans honored that request, provided the money was used for education for high-demand professions.
But Senate Republicans supported the College Success Program, and the final compromise budget divided funding between Martin and the wider program.
Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, told Axios this week it's too early in the budget process to say what his caucus will do, but he still supports the College Success Program.
He said the Martin appropriation was a "one-time investment."
A spokesperson for Martin University did not respond to a request for comment.
Reality check: Braun's proposal is the very beginning of budget negotiations.
The House will introduce its own budget in the coming weeks, followed by the Senate in the second half of the legislative session.
A final budget deal won't be struck until April, likely in the final days of the session.
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