Title III of the Higher Education Act was designed to strengthen small institutions with weak financial bases. Some contend, however, that the lawmakers who conceived the program intended the money to go only to historically Black colleges and universities. (MLW)

At Dillard University (Louisiana), federal financial support enables the university to make fledgling programs solid. The programs are supported by the Education Department's program for "developing institutions," known as Title III after the part of the Higher Education Act that authorizes them. (MLW)

Problems and controversies involving public black colleges are reported in the context of the recent Supreme Court decision suggesting states should merge historically black colleges with geographically close, predominantly white institutions. In some cases white political leaders are blamed for potential closures of vulnerable institutions.…

The Education Department's 1988 budget plan would require students to put more of their income toward paying college costs, and it would eliminate some student-aid programs such as College Work Study. The department's top priority was the education of younger children and ensuring that people graduate from high school. (MLW)