The Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963 (HEA) is a federal statute that provides grants and loans to colleges and universities to help them construct and improve academic facilities. The HEA is administered by the U.S. Department of Education.
Background
The HEA was enacted in response to the growing demand for higher education in the United States. In the early 1960s, the college-age population was increasing rapidly, and many colleges and universities were struggling to keep up with the demand for classroom space, laboratories, and other academic facilities. The HEA was designed to help these institutions meet the needs of their growing student populations.
Provisions of the HEA
The HEA provides grants and loans to colleges and universities for a variety of purposes, including:
* Constructing new academic facilities
* Renovating and expanding existing academic facilities
* Purchasing land for academic purposes
* Acquiring equipment for academic purposes
The HEA also provides grants to colleges and universities to help them plan and develop their academic facilities.
Eligibility for HEA Grants and Loans
To be eligible for HEA grants and loans, colleges and universities must be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. They must also demonstrate a need for the funds and agree to certain terms and conditions, including:
* Charging reasonable tuition and fees
* Providing access to their facilities to all qualified students
* Not discriminating against students based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or disability
Impact of the HEA
The HEA has had a significant impact on higher education in the United States. The grants and loans provided by the HEA have helped colleges and universities to construct and improve their academic facilities, which has in turn helped them to meet the needs of their growing student populations. The HEA has also helped to increase access to higher education by providing grants and loans to colleges and universities that serve low-income students.
The HEA has been reauthorized several times since its enactment in 1963. The most recent reauthorization, which was enacted in 2008, extended the program through 2013.