Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)
AASCU’s member HSIs are vital institutions in their communities. They increase access to higher education for Hispanics and other students of color by providing culturally tailored support that improves retention rates and fosters academic success.
HSIs play a crucial role in serving Hispanic students enrolled in postsecondary education.
As the Higher Education Act amendments of 1992 outline, public or private nonprofit institutions can apply for federal HSI designation and funding through Titles III and V if the college or university meets specified enrollment and financial requirements. These funds can be used for various purposes, such as developing faculty and improving student support services and academic programs.
To be designated as an HSI, an institution must have:
- Hispanic enrollment: At least 25% of the full-time equivalent undergraduate enrollment must be Hispanic.
- Accreditation: The institution must be accredited by a recognized accrediting body.
- Public or Nonprofit status: The institution must be public or nonprofit, meaning it does not distribute its earnings to owners or shareholders.
- Low expenditures: The institution must have low educational and general expenditures, meaning lower resources with which to serve students.
- Low-income student enrollment: The institution must enroll a high percentage of low-income students.
Meet AASCU’s HSI members.
58%
of public four-year HSIs are AASCU members
16%
of member HSIs are also Rural-Serving Institutions (RSIs)
AASCU’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions by the numbers
AASCU’s HSIs enroll more than 1.1 million undergraduate students.
68%
of all undergraduate students at member HSIs are people of color
58%
of undergraduate students at member HSIs are women
47%
of undergraduate students at member HSIs, on average, receive Pell Grants
Top fields of study:
27%
Social and behavioral sciences and human services
25%
Business and communications
20%
STEM fields
HSI Leadership
47%
of presidents at AASCU’s member HSIs identify as people of color
44%
of presidents at AASCU’s member HSIs identify as women
Career pathways among AASCU’s member HSI presidents:
- Faculty/academic: 69%
- Career administrative leader: 22%
- Public sector/government: 3%
- Business executive: 3%
- Other: 3%
Data Sources
- AASCU analysis of IPEDS data, College Scorecard data, and The American College President Study 2023 Edition from the American Council on Education.
- Data reflect institutions that met the eligibility requirements to apply for federal designation and funding as a Hispanic-Serving Institution in FY24.
- The term “people of color” represents individuals who identified as American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and multiracial.
- AASCU employs the framework and methodology developed by the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges to designate our member institutions as rural-serving institutions (RSI). As such, AASCU designates any member institution that has an RSI score above the average score as an RSI.
- President profile data reflect the identities of presidents who completed the American College President Study survey.
- For a complete list of HSIs, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Eligibility Matrices for Titles III and Title V Programs.
HSI Member Spotlight
PROMISING PRACTICE
Developing Career-Ready and Community-Minded Students Is the Mays Center Mission
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
The Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement provides enhanced learning opportunities and access to resources and relationships in order to develop students into career-ready and community-minded graduates. Whether you are a student, faculty or staff member, alumni, a nonprofit community partner, or an employer looking to recruit talent for your organization, the Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement has something for you.
Learn more.
PROMISING PRACTICE
Expanding Work-Study Funds to Help Students Complete Career Placements
Colorado State University Pueblo
To make more college affordable and the workforce more diverse, this university awarded its work-study funds to students from underserved communities so they could participate in career placements tied to their majors and graduate.
Learn more.
PROMISING PRACTICE
Expanding Opportunity Through Greater Access
Northern Arizona University
This university in the Southwest is articulating a transparent message of affordability and accessibility to students in underrepresented communities through its tuition-free initiative and admissions pilot program.
Learn more.Questions about HSIs? Let us know.
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