Senator Lankford Applauds Signing of FUTURE Act into Law

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) applauded President Trump’s signature into law of the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act, which permanently authorizes funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and simplifies the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for students and families.

“I am pleased we were able to resolve negotiations on this bill to provide permanent, rather than just temporary, funding to HBCUs and to simplify the FAFSA form for students interested in attending institutions of higher education,” said Lankford. “This bill takes the next step toward recognizing and assisting our HBCUs like Langston University in Oklahoma and the others around the nation as they continue to strive for excellence in education. We should continue to pursue a broader package of higher education reforms to update a number of out-of-date or failing federal policies that prevent many higher education institutions from properly serving students and make it more difficult for students interested in higher education and their families. I look forward to the Senate’s consideration of additional higher education reforms in the days ahead.”

“The passage of the FUTURE Act means so much to minority serving institutions, and specifically to historically black colleges and universities,” said President of Langston University, Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr. “Sustained funding of this magnitude will allow institutions to provide life-changing opportunities to the students and communities who need it most. I am so pleased to see this investment to advance the mission of Langston University.”

The FUTURE Act permanently authorizes $255 million annually to HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions. The bill also allows students and families to provide their tax information to the government via the FAFSA application only once in order to apply for and participate in federal aid programs for higher education. This simple change will significantly shorten and simply the FAFSA form and give families more time.

Lankford serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies with jurisdiction over funding for institutions of higher education.

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