UC Davis holds dual designations as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and as an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), recognizing its commitment to serving diverse student populations. These statuses position UC Davis as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), enabling it to pursue a broader range of funding opportunities to strengthen academic programs, enhance student services and support underrepresented groups. Together, these designations allow UC Davis to deepen its understanding of and support for Asian, Pacific Islander and Latinx students, fostering a more inclusive campus community where the success of all students is interconnected.
Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) is an umbrella term referring to 11 different U.S. Department of Education designations that are either (a) mission-based—founded with the explicit purpose of serving certain communities or (b) enrollment-based—connected to eligibility criteria that, in part, are tied to specific enrollment criteria. Meeting eligibility for these designations makes colleges and universities eligible for federal funding and support from federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Education, among others. The University of California is moving towards becoming a Minority Serving Institution System, highlighting two specific designations within this category—Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI).
The primary distinction between AANAPISI and HSI eligibility revolves around the specific student demographic requirements (AAandNHPI for AANAPISI; Latinx for HSI). The U.S. Department of Education AANAPISI and HSI designations are the following:
- Title III Part A and Title III Part F Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI)
- Title V Part A Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI)
- Title V Part B Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA)
- Title III Part F HSI Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics and Articulation Program (HSI STEM)
Achieving eligibility for these designations opens up funding opportunities to support student success programs, faculty development and infrastructure that benefit not only minority students but the broader student population as well. This is the benefit of having a dual- or multiple-designation university within the context of MSIs.
Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI)
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrollment Demographics: At least 10% of the undergraduate student population must identify as Asian American or Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AAandNHPI).
- Financial Need: The institution must demonstrate a significant number of students who are from low-income backgrounds, measured by the Pell Grant-eligible population or other financial aid metrics.
- Accreditation and Degree Offerings: The institution must be accredited and offer associate or bachelor’s degrees.
Designation Process
Colleges and universities must be designated as eligible AANAPISIs through the U.S. Department of Education. Institutions submit an application that includes data on enrollment demographics, financial need and institutional goals for serving this population. If approved, they are designated as eligible AANAPISIs and become eligible to apply for specific competitive grants under Title III of the Higher Education Act, which helps institutions expand their capacity to serve AAandNHPI students. UC Davis has been designated as an eligible AANAPISI since AY 2019-2020.
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI)
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrollment Demographics: At least 25% of the undergraduate, full-time student population must be Latinx.
- Financial Need: Like AANAPISI, the institution must demonstrate a significant number of low-income students, often measured by Pell Grant eligibility or similar financial indicators.
- Accreditation and Degree Offerings: The institution must be accredited and offer associate or bachelor’s degrees.
Designation Process
Colleges or universities seeking to be designated as eligible HSIs must apply to the U.S. Department of Education, providing data demonstrating the required enrollment demographics and financial need. If designated, they become eligible for federal funding under Title III and Title V of the Higher Education Act, aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for Latinx students through support services, curriculum development and infrastructure improvements.