The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA)

The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA), which was included in the health care reconciliation bill that was passed on March 21, 2010 and signed into law on March 30, 2010, embraces the president’s challenge to produce the most college graduates by 2020. SAFRA makes the single largest investment in federal student aid ever.

The SAFRA grant is awarded through the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Program of the Department of Education for a ten year period beginning October 1, 2010. Title III, Part F of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, provides an additional $85 million annually until fiscal year 2019 for the Title III, Part B HBCU program. These mandatory (SAFRA) funds are added to monies appropriated in a regular or supplemental grant awarded under the Title III, Part B Strengthening HBCU Program.

Recipients of the HBCU and SAFRA Grants must comply with these conditions under Public Law 105-78, Sec. 508. The purpose of the Title III/SAFRA program is to assist HBCUs in establishing and strengthening their physical plants, academic resources, and student services to continue to fulfill the goal of equalizing educational opportunity. The following represents the activities allowable under the HBCU program:

Activity I: Enhancing Student Retention through Capital Improvements

The focus of Enhancing Student Retention through Capital Improvement (CI) has been to provide adequate physical resources to support the institution’s mission and the scope of its programs.  However, due to aging infrastructure, there is a direct correlation between student satisfaction and the usefulness and condition of academic and support buildings.

Activity II: Improving Teaching and Learning through Emerging Technology

The focus of the activity Improving Teaching and Learning through Emerging Technology (ET) is to prepare instructional faculty and administrative staff to integrate technology into the curriculum and promote a comprehensive student-centered environment that assists and encourages advanced technology.

Activity III: Increase Access, Technology, and Learning through Library Services

The focus of the activity Increase Access, Technology, and Learning through Library Services (LS) has been created to provide adequate resources. The emphasis to Increase Teaching and Learning through Library Services supports student and faculty/staff through the increase in e-technology, online databases, eBooks, and additional training for development in all academic disciplines across the curriculum.

Activity IV: Program Administration

The SAFRA Administration function is responsible for implementing the policies and procedures necessary to ensure that the SAFRA grant program at Voorhees University is appropriately monitored and controlled.  This activity is also responsible for ensuring that federal funds are correctly managed and accounted for to assist SAFRA activity and sub-activity Directors when they have questions concerning the implementation of program activities and objectives.

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