Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play a central role in the lives of Black students, fostering a sense of community that endures long after graduation. Yet many high school students remain largely unfamiliar with the institutions and their impact.

On Jan. 2, 2026, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) released a new study titled “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges,” which surveyed nearly 150 students, teachers, and school counselors across seven high schools in the Northeast, Midwest, and West.

Through the study, UNCF researchers identified a significant knowledge gap: 67% of teachers and 60% of counselors were somewhat, very, or extremely knowledgeable about HBCUs, while 61% of students reported little to no familiarity with the institutions.

Additionally, over half of students surveyed — 53% — said their school counselors never or rarely suggested attending an HBCU, and 54% said counselors hardly ever provided resources about HBCU attendance.

“The pivotal role of K-12 schools in shaping students’ college aspirations and preparedness cannot be overstated,” Dr. Meredith B.L. Anderson, study co-author and director of K-12 research and advocacy at UNCF, said in a statement.

“Teachers and school counselors carry considerable influence in guiding students through the college application process,” she added.

Familiarity with HBCUs varied sharply by race. Among Hispanic and white students, 83% and 80%, respectively, reported little to no familiarity, with about half of Black and multiracial students sharing similar levels of unfamiliarity.

Compared with the 58% of students who said they didn’t know much about HBCUs and weren’t planning to attend, 14% expressed plans to go after receiving encouragement from a teacher or counselor.

Researchers also found that certain educators questioned the drive, academic readiness, or financial capacity for college of students of color, reflecting deficit-based attitudes.

How Schools And HBCUs Can Close The Awareness Gap

To address these gaps, the report recommends several improvements for schools and districts, including offering more exposure to HBCU scholarships and financial aid, training teachers to analyze achievement data, and engaging staff in anti-bias training.

The report suggests that HBCUs support students by sending financial aid information directly to high schools, providing academic support to local communities, and partnering with K-12 schools to offer anti-bias training for staff.

“We believe the findings of this study will contribute to dismantling barriers surrounding higher education and perceptions of HBCUs and build bridges between schools, communities, and HBCUs to enhance college access for all K-12 students,” said Dr. Tia Dolet, study co-author and founder of Thirdspace Collective Consulting LLC.