Kentucky is one of 16 states that has underfunded historically black land grant universities.
That's according to the U.S. Department of Education and Agriculture.
Federal officials wrote to the governors of each state asking them to increase funding.
And a letter to Governor Andy Beshear.
Officials said the state has underfunded Kentucky State University by more than $170 million over the last three decades.
The calculation was based on funding that would have been allocated had it been proportional to the funding given to non HBCU's.
The letter also notes the economic and cultural significance of HBCU institutions as they generate nearly $15 billion and more than 134,000 jobs a year, while only representing 3% of higher education institutions.
Land grant universities were founded on federal land to further agricultural instruction and research.