U.S. Department of Education's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for
global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring
equal access.
The Department was created in 1980 by combining offices from several federal
agencies. ED's 4,400 employees and $68 billion budget are dedicated to:
- Establishing policies on federal financial aid for education, and distributing as well as monitoring those funds.
- Collecting data on America's schools and disseminating research.
- Focusing national attention on key educational issues.
- Prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equal access to education.
The Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program (UISFL) is part of the Title VI programs that offer domestic grants to institutions of higher education to develop and maintain capacity and performance in area/international studies and world languages. The UISFL program provides funds to plan, develop, and carry out programs to
strengthen and improve undergraduate instruction in international
studies and foreign languages.