Congress appropriated significant funding for minority‑serving institutions, but colleges say uncertainty lingers after last year’s grant cuts and shifting federal priorities. Institutions receiving newly appropriated support are drafting backup plans while awaiting clarity on allocations and program rules. At the same time, the Department of Education has warned colleges with rising student‑loan non‑repayment rates, signaling that institutions may face heightened scrutiny or consequences tied to borrower outcomes. The combined pressure—greater oversight of repayment metrics plus uneven federal grant administration—weighs on institutional budgets and planning. Leaders at MSIs and other campuses told higher‑education reporters they are preparing for layered compliance demands, possible funding volatility, and the need for targeted financial‑aid counseling and repayment support to limit downstream penalties and reputational damage.