OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — For decades, historically Black colleges and universities helped provide access to higher learning.

Although HBCUs account for roughly 3% of postsecondary institutions, about 10% of Black college students attend them, and they produce about 20% of Black graduates.

But data shows the number of students attending HBCUs declined by 11% from 2010 to 2019.

Since then, at the federal level, the Trump administration restored $85 million a year in funding for HBCUs. 

And President Joe Biden provided more than $3.7 billion for HBCUs to help with debt relief and improving student learning.

Also, school districts nationwide began initiatives to introduce students to HBCUs, including resources like virtual seminars.

Trenisha Simmons, a mother of a Poinciana High School student, attended a weeklong virtual seminar with her daughter, Leah.

“Attending a HBCU gives you not only a very solid education, but it teaches you about giving back to others,” Simmons said.

She attended an HBCU — it’s where she met her husband, and one of her heroes.

“Rosa Parks actually visited Bethune-Cookman University, and so many students had an opportunity to hear her, to see her, and visit with her,” Simmons said.

It’s something she hopes her only child can experience, too.

The School District of Osceola County, where Leah attends, reports less than 1% of its graduates are enrolled in an HBCU.

“You can’t get the same experiences you get at HBCUs than you can get at a normal college or university,” Leah Simmons said. “So, I think being able to experience the same things and doing the same things as my parents, my godparents, aunts and uncles, would be very important to me.”

One of the sophomore’s top choices includes Howard University.

“With biology being its largest major, it would obviously give me better experiences in that field, which is what I want to get into,” she said.

School districts and groups in other counties have also been highlighting HBCUs.

Brevard Public Schools officials report they don't monitor where graduates enroll, but the school district did host its first HBCU event, which was very well-attended.

Seminole County Public Schools reported it doesn’t have graduate college enrollment data, either, but school groups like the Collegiate Club and Young Men and Young Women of Excellence host college tours, which include Florida HBCUs.

Orange County Public Schools officials said they don't keep track of that information, but this school year the district hosted and promoted more than 25 events where HBCUs were represented.