Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are poised to get a boost in federal funding thanks to Democratic Sens. Kamala Harris and Doug Jones, they announced in a press release on Thursday.

In the Senate’s latest spending bill, funding for HBCUs increased by 14 percent to $279.6 million for 2018.

“HBCUs are critical to the foundation of our higher education system, and provide opportunities for some of the nation’s most promising and deserving students,” Harris (D-Calif.) said in a press release. “I am pleased funds in this bipartisan budget agreement will be invested in the future of these young people. Ensuring HBCUs have the federal support and resources they need to thrive for generations to come is one of my top priorities as a proud HBCU graduate.”

Historically Black graduate schools will also increase funding in the Senate’s latest spending bill.

“Alabama’s fifteen Historically Black Colleges and Universities are integral to our world-class university system,” Jones (D-Ala.) said in a statement. “Despite enrolling roughly 300,000 students each year nationwide, HBCUs have faced significant funding challenges, with some even forced to close their doors.”

U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos sought to cut funding for the Education Department by $3.6 billion, eliminate after-school programs for children in need and eliminate a program that would help low-income students get into college, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Congress did not approve her request and increased funding for the department by $3.9 billion.