September 25 to October 1, 2023

Stylized flower design with words to the right: APIA Scholars Educate. Elevate. Empower.

What is AANAPISI Week?

We are excited to spread the word about AANAPISI Week (September 25 – October 01, 2023). This week celebrates Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), which were established by Congress on September 27, 2007, to improve the availability and quality of postsecondary education programs to support low-income, first generation Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students.

AANAPISI Week commemorates the significance and achievements of AANAPISIs and provides the opportunity for organizations and institutions to celebrate the educational support of underserved AANHPI students. Our goal this year is to:

  1. Raise awareness and highlight the impact of AANAPISIs on AANHPI student success
  2. Expand our network of advocates and supporters
  3. Develop federal policy champions in support of AANAPISIs
  4. Drive action on issues and policies in the interest of our students

As we seek to build visibility around the impact of these important institutions, we invite our partners to learn more about AANAPISIs, and circulate information about AANAPISI Week to those in their networks who are interested in learning more and supporting AANHPI student success.

How do I use this toolkit?

  1. Read about the policy context: Through our federal State of Play, learn more about the latest on Capitol Hill and why public support for AANAPISIs is critical during AANAPISI Week 2023.
  2. Learn about ways to engage: Check out the Call to Action for ways to engage.
  3. Utilize toolkit assets to take action: Use the social media assets – graphics, hashtags, captions, and advocacy resources – to spread the word
  4. Spread the word: Share this toolkit with others in your network!

Federal Policy State of Play

Over the last 5 years, thanks in large part to the advocacy from APIA Scholars and its partners, Congress has made historic investments in AANAPISIs. Between FY2019 and FY2023, discretionary funding for AANAPISIs has increased significantly from $3.39 million to $18.59 million per year–a bigger percentage increase than any other type of Minority Serving Institution during that period–enabling the number of federally funded AANAPISIs to grow from 25 to 39 institutions, likely with more in future years. Despite the recent significant funding increases, FY24 Appropriations is likely to be a contentious period in the current Congress with a Democrat-led Senate and a Republican-led House. There is significant pressure in Congress this year to cut overall spending and there is a real danger that without additional advocacy on the part of the AANAPISI community, we could lose some of the critical funding increases we have collectively achieved.

In July, the House FY24 Appropriation funding levels proposed $57.1 billion for the Department of Education, a cut of $22.5 billion (28%) below the FY23 enacted level. Although specific funding levels for AANAPISIs haven’t yet been released, this could represent a deep cut in funding for the institutions we care most about. In the Senate FY24 Appropriations bill, legislators proposed $79.6 billion for the Department of Education with $18.899 million proposed for AANAPISIs, a slight increase over FY23 funding levels–and critically, locking in the increases we have won the past few years. Given this context, it makes it all the more important that we advocate together and all urge Congress to pass a bill with the Senate’s proposed increases to AANAPISI funding, rather than the House bill that would cut funding.

Although FY24 Appropriations levels have not been finalized, we still have time to urge Congress to continue investing in AANAPISIs. Given the current political climate and potential cuts made to programs which will deprive students, including AANHPI students, of higher education opportunities, Congress must continue to invest and not cut funding to AANAPISIs. Federal funds will ensure that AANAPISIs continue to support the success of first generation and AANHPI students with low income and change the trajectory of their lives.

Why advocacy and AANAPISI Week matters: As higher education programs face potential funding cuts, it will be crucial to demonstrate strong and united public support for AANAPISIs and the need for equitable access to opportunities for underrepresented AANHPI students. By advocating for AANAPISIs and AANHPI student success, our communities can demonstrate to Congress that investing in AANAPISIs is critical. Read the APIA Scholars FY24 Appropriations Community Sign-On Letter (pdf) for an example of community-wide support for AANAPISIs. If you are interested in sending a letter or requesting a meeting with your Member of Congress, we are eager to help support you with this process. Please contact us directly for more information by email at: AANAPISI@apiascholars.org.


CALL TO ACTION: How to Engage

  1. Spread the word on social media
    • Promote and share AANAPISI Week content using the graphics, captions, and hashtags below.

  2. Share your story
  3. Send a letter to your U.S. Representative and Senators
    • Interested in contacting your Member of Congress to urge them to support increased funding for AANAPISIs? Email: AANAPISI@apiascholars.org to receive advocacy resources and support from the APIA Scholars team on how to contact your Representative or Senator!

  4. Become a student advocate
    • Sign up for the AANAPISI Week Advocacy in Action bootcamp, a virtual training for college students and young leaders to develop advocacy skills and learn about advocacy for AANAPISIs. This event will be held on Wednesday September 27, 6:30-8 p.m. ET/3:30-5 p.m. PT/12:30-2 p.m. HT. Open to all AANHPI college students and young leaders. Details can be found in the Student Advocacy Bootcamp section below.
    • Register for the Advocacy Bootcamp

Social Media Assets

We encourage you to share why you or your organization supports AANAPISIs. Be sure to include the hashtags #AANAPISI and #AANAPISIWeek in your post, and tag APIA Scholars so that we can reshare your post on our social media channels!

APIA Scholars Social Handles:

Visit the APIA Scholars website to find graphics to post, captions to use, and a suggested posting schedule for social media. We invite you to use any or all of these graphics to celebrate AANAPISI Week. Additionally, we invite you to share your own stories, photos, or content from your campus or organization throughout the week!


Student Advocacy Bootcamp

  • Event: AANAPISI Week Advocacy in Action Bootcamp
  • When: Wednesday, September 27, 6:30-8 p.m. ET/3:30-5 p.m. PT/12:30-2 p.m. HT
  • Where: Virtual via Zoom, register here: https://bit.ly/AANAPISIBootCamp
  • Who can attend?: All AANHPI college students and young leaders are welcome.

Join APIA Scholars during AANAPISI Week 2023 for a virtual advocacy bootcamp! We will empower and equip Scholars, college students, and young leaders to take action in support of AANAPISIs and the AANHPI student community.

In this workshop, participants will learn about Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), develop advocacy skillsets and knowledge, and take action to become advocates for AANAPISIs.

Students' voices deserve to be heard, and we look forward to empowering yours!

Questions

Do you have questions? Please email: AANAPISI@apiascholars.org.

Register for the Advocacy Bootcamp

Learning Library

Interested in learning more about AANAPISIs? We invite you to check out the resources below, and share them with your networks:

AANAPISI Program Basics:

AANAPISI Overview:

Academic Literature: