Originally established in 1990, the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics (Initiative) was re-established in 2021 through executive order by President Joe Biden, who expanded the Initiative’s scope to center on advancing educational equity and economic opportunity for Latino and Hispanic students, families, and communities. The nation’s future prosperity and global leadership across sectors is intrinsically tied to the success of Hispanic and Latino students, and their success is a priority of this Administration.

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New Executive Order on HSIs White House Initiative and a President’s Board of Advisors for HSIs 

On Wednesday, July 17, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the implementation of one of the most important recommendations approved by our President’s Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics.

President Joe Biden signed a new Executive Order (EO) establishing at the U.S. Department of Education, the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and a President’s Board of Advisors for HSIs.

  • Read the new EO establishing the HSIs White House Initiative and a President’s Board of Advisors for HSIs, here.
  • View the factsheet announcing the EO and additional actions, including action to expand TRIO college access programs to Dreamers, here.
  • Follow our Initiative on this webpage, Facebook and X/Twitter for additional links and resources.
  • Submit public comment on the proposed rule to expand TRIO college access programs to Dreamers by August 23, 2024, here.
  • Share statements of support from you/your organization by emailing [email protected] and posting on social media, using the hashtag #WHLatinos and tagging @WhiteHouseHPI, @USEdGov, @SecCardona, @WhiteHouse and @LaCasaBlanca.

President Biden’s EO marks a critical moment for the Hispanic community, which has been seeking this action for over twenty years. HSIs now number over 500 higher education campuses across the U.S. — educating over 55 percent of Latino students, 30 percent of all Pell grant recipients and more than 4.7 million students as a whole. This new EO is an important systemic action aimed at improving the federal government’s capacity to more intentionally address historic equity issues faced by HSIs, Latino students and educators.

Complete the 2024-25 FAFSA Today

FAFSA form

Complete the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form today. The Better FAFSA is simplified, redesigned, and streamlined. It is faster and easier to fill out, with most students and families completing it in less than 15 minutes. It ensures 665,000 more students will receive Federal Pell Grants to pay for college. Additionally, more than 1.7 million more students will receive the maximum Pell Grant of $7,395. Completing and submitting the FAFSA form is free, and it gives students access to the largest source of financial aid to help pay for higher education.

Student Better FAFSA English  Estudiante La Better FAFSA Spanish

2024-25 FAFSA Guide for Parents and Contributors – Partner Guidance

Please use these English and Spanish fliers to help students and families complete the 2024-25 FAFSA form.

Check our Federal Student Aid Resources page for additional English and Spanish FAFSA resources.

Apply for the SAVE Plan 

SAVE Plan

The Biden-Harris Administration launched the most affordable repayment plan – the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan. The SAVE plan will cut many borrowers’ monthly payments to zero, will save other borrowers around $1,000 per year, will prevent balances from growing because of unpaid interest, and will get more borrowers closer to forgiveness faster. The Biden-Harris Administration estimates that over 20 million borrowers could benefit from the SAVE plan. On average, under the SAVE Plan, Black, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native borrowers will see their total lifetime payments per dollar borrowed cut in half.

Borrowers, sign up today by visiting StudentAid.gov/SAVE

Peer Review Opportunities with the U.S. Department of Education

Peer Review Opportunity with the U.S. Department of EducationFlier

The U.S. Department of Education announces opportunities for individuals to participate in its peer review process for competitive grant funding under the programs administered by the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE); Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE); Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA); Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE); and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS).Requests to serve as a peer reviewer for fiscal year 2023 will be accepted on an ongoing basis, aligned with this year’s grant competition schedule. Requests to serve as a peer reviewer should be submitted at least four weeks prior to the program’s application deadline noted on the Department’s website under “Forecast of Funding Opportunities” at www2.ed.gov/​fund/​grant/​find/​edlite-forecast.html.

Raise the Bar: Lead the World

Raise the Bar Lead the World Priorities

“Raise the Bar: Lead the World” is the U.S. Department of Education’s call to action to transform education and unite around what truly works—based on decades of experience and research—to advance educational equity and excellence.

Key Focus Areas:

  • Achieve Academic Excellence
  • Boldly Improve Learning Conditions
  • Create Pathways for Global Engagement
  • Increase College Affordability, Completion, Excellence, and Equity

Learn more about these initiatives that support the U.S. Department of Education’s efforts to advance educational equity.

White House Hispanic Initiative Public Engagement Programs

Learn about the White House Hispanic Initiative’s public engagement programs to share Biden-Harris Administration programs and initiatives.

U.S. Department of Education Nationwide Call for Student Performing Artists

The U.S. Department of Education is seeking student performing artists (such as bands/marching bands, choirs, color guards, dancers, drumlines, poets/spoken word artists, soloists, theatrical performers) currently enrolled in institutions of elementary, secondary, or post-secondary education or accredited trade schools, who exemplify resilience, diversity, and excellence and are interested in showcasing their talent, virtually or in-person, at internal and external Department-hosted events, as well as awards and recognition ceremonies, and professional development trainings that support the Department’s programs, priorities, and initiatives and social media campaigns. No formal training or experience is necessary.

Please utilize this link for additional information that includes Frequently Asked Questions, submission instructions, and other related guidance.

If someone requires a reasonable accommodation to complete a submission and/or answer any related questions, please direct them to email [email protected].

Follow the U.S. Department of Education and Secretary Cardona on Social Media

U.S. Department of Education:

Secretary Cardona

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