US Education Department Investigates Five Universities Over Scholarship Policies

The United States Department of Education has initiated investigations into five universities regarding their scholarship policies, which are alleged to provide benefits to students who are in the country illegally. The institutions under scrutiny include the University of Michigan, Western Michigan University, University of Louisville, University of Nebraska Omaha, and the University of Miami. These investigations follow civil rights complaints that claim these universities are discriminating based on national origin, thereby violating the rights of American citizens and lawful residents.

Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for Civil Rights, emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring that educational opportunities are equitable. He stated, “Neither the Trump Administration’s America first policies nor the Civil Rights Act of 1964’s prohibition on national origin discrimination permit universities to deny our fellow citizens the opportunity to compete for scholarships because they were born in the United States.” This statement was made during the announcement of the investigations, which coincide with the six-month mark of President Trump’s return to office.

The Department of Education’s investigations focus on specific scholarship programs that reportedly cater to students enrolled under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program or to undocumented students. For instance, the University of Nebraska Omaha offers a “Dreamer’s Pathway Scholarship,” while the University of Louisville has a scholarship designed to “subsidize the cost of higher education for undergraduate DACA and undocumented students.”

William A. Jacobson, founder of the Equal Protection Project, expressed satisfaction with the Department’s actions, stating, “Protecting equal access to education includes protecting the rights of American-born students.” He highlighted that discrimination against American-born students should not be tolerated, echoing sentiments that have fueled the investigations.

In addition to these allegations, the Department of Education is also examining two additional scholarships at the University of Louisville, aimed at “undergraduate LGBTQ+ students of color” and “Latino/a/x and Hispanic students.” Similarly, at the University of Nebraska Omaha, a scholarship that purportedly gives preference to underrepresented minority students is under investigation, as is a scholarship at Western Michigan University designated for “African American, Native American, or Hispanic American” students.

The Trump administration has taken a strong stance against what it deems illegal discrimination. There have been numerous investigations into universities accused of implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that may privilege certain groups over others. Recent months have seen the administration file lawsuits against states allowing undocumented immigrants to qualify for in-state tuition rates and revoke nearly $7 billion in federal grants that were purportedly used to promote programs benefiting illegal immigrants.

As these investigations progress, it remains to be seen how the universities will respond and what implications these inquiries will have on their scholarship policies. The education department’s actions reflect a broader push to reassess educational funding and access in relation to national origin and residency status.