Education Secretary Betsy DeVos says she is a "strong supporter" of historically black colleges and universities.
In a statement released late Sunday, DeVos said she would "continue to be an advocate for them and for programs that make higher education more accessible to all students."
Some higher education officials questioned the Trump administration's support of historically black schools after the White House appeared to put a caveat on federal funds used by the colleges to obtain low-cost construction loans. President Donald Trump said his pledge to distribute money consistent with the Constitution doesn't affect his "unwavering support."
DeVos was criticized earlier this year for calling historically black colleges "pioneers" of school choice. She later acknowledged that the schools were created because African-Americans had been excluded from predominantly white schools.