Federal agencies have derived the authority to conduct Minority Serving Institution Programs from several Presidential Executive Orders and Congressionally Legislated Acts over the years. Some of these authorities and primary coordinating Federal Departments include:

• Executive Order 13216 of June 6, 2001 on Increasing Opportunity and Improving Quality of Life of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (Department of Health and Human Services) 
• Executive Order 13230 of October 12, 2001 on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans (Department of Education)
• Executive Order 13256 of February 12, 2002 on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Department of Education)
• Executive Order 13270 of July 3, 2002 on Tribal Colleges and Universities (Department of Education)
• Executive Order 13339 of May 13, 2004 on Increasing Economic Opportunity and Business Participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (Department of Commerce)