EdTrust in Louisiana urges state leaders to grant the Southern University System’s $19 million funding request and to take the critical steps necessary to commit to sustained, long-term investments that address decades of inequity in higher education funding
March 24, 2026 by EdTrust-Louisiana 
March 23, 2026
Statement from EdTrust in Louisiana on Southern University Systems’ Funding Request
Baton Rouge, LA — EdTrust in Louisiana urges state leaders to grant the Southern University System’s $19 million funding request and to take the critical steps necessary to commit to sustained, long-term investments that address decades of inequity in higher education funding.
For far too long, Louisiana has underinvested in Southern University, the state’s only historically Black land-grant university system. Data shows that Southern has been shortchanged by approximately $1.2 billion compared to its peer land-grant institution, LSU, a disparity rooted in a failure to meet the required state matching funds.
This moment presents an opportunity for lawmakers to begin correcting that imbalance. While the proposed $19 million would support critical needs, such as campus safety, modern technology infrastructure, and student recruitment, it also represents something much larger: a signal of whether Louisiana is committed to equity in how it funds and supports its public institutions.
As EdTrust in Louisiana State Director Tramelle Howard recently wrote alongside Kristian Coleman in The Advocate, “Investing in HBCUs like Southern University is not just about fairness, it is about the future of Louisiana. These institutions play a vital role in preparing Black students, low-income students, and first-generation college students for economic mobility and leadership in our state.”
At a time when Louisiana is striving to strengthen its workforce and improve outcomes for students, we cannot afford to overlook the institutions that have done the most with the least.
We recognize that this year’s budget environment is challenging, but equity cannot be optional when times are tight; it must be the foundation of decision-making. Lawmakers should prioritize investments that address long-standing disparities and ensure that all students, regardless of where they enroll, have access to the resources they need to succeed.
This request should be viewed as a starting point, not the finish line. Louisiana must commit to sustained, transparent, and equitable funding for its higher education systems, particularly those that have been historically underfunded.
Our students and our state deserve nothing less.
