Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs) are schools that were created to serve the educational needs of Black Americans. For many years Black Americans were denied admission to traditionally white institutions. As a result, HBCUs became the principle means for providing postsecondary education to Black Americans.

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended defines an HBCU as:

“any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary of Education.”

While HBCUs were originally founded to provide higher education opportunities for Black students, they historically and continuously enroll and graduate students regardless of their ethnicity or race. There are currently 107 HBCUs across the United States.

Florida has four amazing HBCUs that will not only be close to home, but also qualify with the Bright Futures Scholarships:

• Bethune-Cookman University
• Edward Waters College
• Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University
• Florida Memorial University