Университеты для представителей меньшинств в США

University or college that serves a high percentage of minority students in the United States
In the higher education system of the United States, minority serving institution (MSI) is a descriptive term for universities and colleges that enroll a significant percentage of students from minority groups.

The term MSI is defined in US federal statute under the Higher Education Act (HEA), and several federal agencies maintain a listing of eligible institutions that receive HEA funding designated for MSIs, such as the U. S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation. Most MSIs qualify for federal funding based on annual undergraduate or graduate enrollment and graduation criteria (enrollment driven MSIs, such as Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), Native American Serving NonTribal Institutions (NASNTIs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (ANNHIs), and Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)), while two types are statutorily defined, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). For example, a report from the U. S. Department of Education on the characteristics of MSIs defined MSI based on either of two separate criteria; 1) legislation (e. g. HBCU, TCU, or 2) percentage of minority undergraduate enrollment based on IPEDS data (i. e. "institutions that enroll at least 25 percent of a specific minority group are designated as “minority serving” for that group").

The similar term “minority institutions” (MIs) is defined by § 365(3) of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 (20 U. S. C. § 1067k(3)).

Many MSIs, such as Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), began in response to a history of inequality and a lack of access for people of color to majority institutions. MSIs overall now occupy a unique place in the nation, serving primarily, but not exclusively, low income students, first generation students, and students of color. These institutions have highly diverse faculties and staffs, enhance student learning and promote leadership skills, and provide programs of study address deficiencies that originated at the primary and secondary level. MSIs play an important role in the nation’s economy by preparing a diverse workforce and prepare underrepresented students for graduate and professional school. Until 2007, no federal legislation existed concerning institutions serving Asian American and Pacific Islanders. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 made history, because it granted federal recognition to these institutions, making them eligible to be designated as minority serving institutions. MSIs serve a large number of financially challenged students: 98 percent of African Americans and Native Americans who enroll at HBCUs or TCUs receive or qualify for federal financial aid, and over 50% of all students enrolled at MSIs receive Pell Grant support. As a point of comparison, only 31 percent of all college students receive Pell Grant support. Moreover, nearly half of MSI students are first generation college students. In comparison, only 35 percent of students attending Predominantly White Institutions.