DOJ launches civil rights probe into William & Mary scholarships that allegedly favor minority applicants, igniting a national debate on race‑based aid. The review targets eligibility criteria that may use race to determine scholarship awards.
What the Review Covers
The Justice Department announced Monday it will examine William & Mary’s scholarship and benefit programs to determine whether they violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by using race as a factor in eligibility decisions. The department says the investigation will focus on whether race influences awarding of scholarships and other coveted student benefits.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said the department will assess whether awards to students based on skin color contravene the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection. He emphasized that any racial preference in scholarships is illegal and violates the color‑blind principles of the Constitution.
The DOJ highlighted three programs at the university. W&M Scholars offers full tuition scholarships to first‑year undergraduates with an “interest in diverse people and perspectives.” The Martha L. Muguira Fellowship, a need‑based award, gives preference to Hispanic or Latino women, while the Holmes Scholars program provides mentorship and professional development to “future education leaders of color.”
At the law school, the department is reviewing the Lemon Legal Scholars Program, which grants up to five full scholarships and exclusive networking opportunities to graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Reaching Back Scholarship, a need‑based award, favors HBCU graduates or applicants who “contribute to the diversity” of the law school.
University Response
William & Mary said it is reviewing the DOJ’s request and maintains a commitment to nondiscriminatory learning environments while complying with all state and federal laws. The university posted a statement on its website noting that it does not comment on pending legal matters.
The school says it will cooperate fully with the department’s investigation.
Legal Context
The Civil Rights Division emphasized it has not reached any conclusions about a legal violation and is merely gathering evidence. Federal officials are seeking detailed student and admissions records to verify compliance with Title VI.
Federal officials have requested detailed student and admissions records, asserting that Title VI enforcement permits access to information protected under FERPA without student consent, a claim that has faced judicial challenges.
In February, the DOJ sued Harvard University for refusing to release admissions data, underscoring its aggressive stance on civil rights investigations. The lawsuit seeks to compel the university to provide records required for the ongoing civil rights review.
