HBCU Knowledge
What do the letters HBCU stand for?
What are Historically Black Colleges and Universities?
Upgrade this question: “Do you have tutoring?”
“What academic support is available for students who need help in challenging courses, and how do students access it?”
You want to know what a typical day looks like for students on campus. What is one question you could ask a current student or tour guide?
“What does a typical day look like for students here, both in and outside the classroom?”
You want to know what support is available if you struggle during your first year of college. What is one question you could ask during a campus tour?
“What resources are available to help first-year students adjust to college academically and socially?”
This HBCU is located in Louisiana.
What is Grambling State University?
This university in Arkansas, is one of the five stops on your tour.
What is the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB)?
Upgrade this question: “Is the food good?”
“What dining options are available, and what do students with different schedules or dietary needs usually do for meals?”
Ask this to find out whether students can gain experience before graduation.
“What internships, research, clinical, or hands-on opportunities are available in my field?”
You care about hands-on learning. Name two opportunities to ask a college about.
Examples: internships, research, clinical experiences, labs, co-ops, service learning, performances, or fieldwork.
This Houston-based HBCU is one of the five stops on your tour.
What is Texas Southern University (TSU)?
HBCUs were established primarily to provide higher education opportunities to which group of students who historically faced exclusion from many colleges?
Black students and other students who faced racial discrimination.
You’re interested in studying abroad during college. Rewrite this basic question to learn more about the opportunities available: ‘Can I study abroad?’
“What study abroad opportunities are available to students in my major, and what scholarships, financial aid, or other support can help cover the cost?”
Ask this to understand the real cost beyond tuition.
“What are the estimated total costs, including housing, meals, fees, books, and transportation?”
You want to understand the real cost of attending. Name three expenses beyond tuition.
Examples: housing, meal plans, books and supplies, transportation, fees, personal expenses, or travel home.
This HBCU is the oldest public HBCU in Texas and the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state.
What is Prairie View A&M University?
You hear about an HBCU tradition during a visit. What are two good follow-up questions?
Examples: “How did this tradition begin?” “How do students participate?” “Is it open to all students?” “What does it mean to the campus community?”
You’re struggling in a college class and think you may need to drop it. Rewrite this basic question to better understand the process and how dropping a class could affect you: ‘Can I drop a class?’
“What is the process for dropping a class, and how could it affect my financial aid, academic progress, or graduation timeline?”
You see a beautiful science lab. What should you ask before assuming students get to use it?
“Which students use this lab, how early can they get access, and what kinds of classes or projects happen here?”
You want a strong sense of community. Name two things to look for or ask about during a visit.
Examples: student interactions, campus traditions, residence hall activities, peer mentoring, organizations; ask how students find community.
This university is one of the oldest historically Black colleges in Texas.
What is Wiley University?
The institution was originally founded as Wiley College in 1873 by the Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Wiley College officially became Wiley University on November 3, 2023.
What is the difference between a public HBCU and a private HBCU?
Public HBCUs are generally funded and operated by state governments, while private HBCUs are independently operated, often by nonprofit organizations or religious institutions.
Private: Grambling, Wiley
Public: UAPB, PVAMU, TSU
You’re an out-of-state student attending an HBCU several states away from home. You’re worried about what happens during holidays or school breaks when you can’t afford to travel home. Rewrite this basic question to learn what support the school offers: ‘What do students do during the holidays?’
“What resources or programs are available for out-of-state students who are unable to travel home during holidays or school breaks, such as housing, meals, or campus activities?”
Name one question you could ask a current student to learn what weekends are really like.
“What do students usually do on weekends, and what are some popular activities for first-year students?”
You have been accepted to two colleges. One offers your preferred major and has a vibrant campus culture, while the other is more affordable and closer to home. What three factors should you investigate before comparing your options, and why?
Possible factors include:
Your tour visits UAPB, Grambling State, Wiley, Prairie View A&M, and Texas Southern. Without simply naming the schools, explain how you could use the campus visits to discover meaningful differences between these five HBCUs.
Students might compare: