What is AANAPISI?

AANAPISI stands for Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution. The AANAPISI program, one of eight federally designated Minority Serving Institution (MSI) programs, was established by Congress in 2007 as part of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. It was expanded in 2008 under the Higher Education Opportunity Act.

To qualify for an AANAPISI grant an institution must have, at the time of application, an enrollment of undergraduate students that is at least ten percent Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander students. At least 50% of an applicant institution’s degree-seeking students must receive financial assistance under one or more of the following programs: the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work Study (FWS), or the Federal Perkins Loan. Institutions must first apply for designation of eligibility and be deemed eligible to compete for an AANAPISI grant. Institutions may direct grants toward construction or renovation of instructional facilities, purchase of educational materials, development of faculty and curriculum, and support of student services.

What is NOVA’s AANAPISI Project?

In the Fall of 2021, NOVA was awarded a 1.4 million dollar AANAPISI Grant to develop the program,
APPEAL (Asian Pacific Pedagogy for Equity, Achievement & Learning). APPEAL implements a college-wide
effort to improve retention, enrollment, and graduation rates for AAPI and other high-need students
through a peer mentor program, a selection of faculty workshops on culturally responsive pedagogy, and a dynamic Intercultural Learning & Resource Center focused on education around AAPI communities. Click here to read the NOVA’s AANAPISI Grant Program.

NOVA’s ANNAPISI Project: APPEAL
3 Central Goals

NOVA Serves