WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced that the Senate approved a provision in the Higher Education Reauthorization Act that would allow higher education institutions where at least 10 percent of the undergraduate students are Native Hawaiians to compete for a total of $5 million in grants in Fiscal Year 1999. The purpose of the grants is to help colleges and universities improve and expand their capacity to serve Native Hawaiian students. The provision calls for partnerships to carry out programs that use innovative means to increase the enrollment of Native Hawaiian students through access to the latest technology, purchase of educational equipment and materials, improvements in classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and other instructional facilities; faculty and curriculum development; academic instruction and tutoring; counseling services and student support services.

"I am pleased that my colleagues in the Senate recognize my long term commitment to providing Native Hawaiian students with quality educational opportunities that will give them the knowledge and experience to pursue their lifelong goals, as well as the credentials to become mature, contributing and responsible members of our island community," said Senator Inouye.

In addition, the Senate included an amendment to give statutory priority to the University of Hawaii and community colleges for competitive federal grants to help recruit and encourage more Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students to become teachers at the elementary and secondary school level. These initiatives are included under Title III of the Higher Education Act (HEA).

First enacted in 1965, the HEA Title III - Institutional Aid authorizes grants to higher education institutions to strengthen their academic quality, institutional management, and financial stability. Administered by the U.S. Department of Education, Title III programs assist institutions that expand educational opportunities for low-income and minority students.

The Higher Education Reauthorization Act will now face a joint House-Senate Conference and final House and Senate votes before its transmittal to the White House.