WASHINGTON ÷ The U.S. government granted $90 million to 81 selected colleges and universities nationwide last week in an effort to increase funding for schools that cater to disadvantaged and predominantly minority students. Federal lawmakers hope the increased funding will help level the playing field with neighboring colleges operating with a greater budget.

The grants are awarded under the Strengthening Institutions Program, a result of the Higher Education Act and the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program. These programs aim to help eligible schools attract and retain students by allowing them to update technology, offer faculty training and facility improvements.

"The purpose of the grant is to improve critical thinking and reasoning skills," says Deva Sharma, professor of physics and director of the Project for North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, N.C.

Deva says that this grant will impact one-third of the largely African-American and Latino student body, focusing on integrating incoming students and helping them with their math and science requirements.

"We will set up 35 new computers to test students and give them projects in science and math. By February, we hope to have the labs set-up and train at least five faculty members," he said.

Nineteen institutions were awarded $6.7 million to carry out a variety of these activities that strengthen their self-sufficiency and make them more competitive with other schools. These grants are awarded for five years.

The University of Central Arkansas, a school with predominately minority students, was one of the recipients of the annual grants of $347,135.