Education Department Investigates Over 50 Universities for Alleged Race-Based Discrimination

The probes focus on diversity programs and scholarships officials say violate federal civil rights laws prohibiting racial discrimination.

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating 45 universities for alleged racial exclusion in programs tied to The PhD Project, a nonprofit supporting minority representation in academia.
An additional seven schools are under scrutiny for offering race-based scholarships or implementing policies that segregate students by race.
The investigations follow a 2023 Supreme Court ruling banning affirmative action in college admissions, which the department has broadly interpreted to cover all race-conscious policies in higher education.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that the department aims to ensure students are evaluated based on merit and not racial identity, warning institutions of potential loss of federal funding for noncompliance.
Universities have defended their practices, with some institutions modifying DEI policies in response to prior warnings, while legal challenges to the investigations are anticipated.