Exclusive | Harvard hit with federal complaint over ‘race-restricted’ scholarship program: ‘Enough is enough’
On Sunday, Harvard University received a federal complaint, according to The Post, alleging that a scholarship program it backs is “race-restricted” and only available to students of color. The complaint says the Ivy League school actively promotes the Union Scholars summer scholarship, which offers 10 students a $4,800 stipend and $6,000 in need‑based aid.
William Jacobson, the founder of the Equal Protection Project and a Harvard alum, told The Post that Harvard seems to ignore the principle of “not discriminating based on race.” He added that the Supreme Court had already ordered Harvard to stop such policies, and now the Department of Justice must enforce that decision.
Harvard has been in the spotlight since 2023 when the Supreme Court declared that affirmative‑action admission programs are unconstitutional. The Equal Protection Project has filed its claim with the Justice Department’s Division of Civil Rights, arguing that the scholarship’s race limitation violates civil‑rights laws.
The complaint arrives amid a broader Trump administration initiative aimed at pressuring Harvard to drop its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, welcome more conservative viewpoints, and eliminate antisemitism on campus. “The Harvard Union Scholars Program delivers real benefits, but it should not be limited on the basis of race,” Jacobson said.
Although the Union Scholars program is managed by AFSCME, the complaint contends that Harvard is not a passive observer; it hosts orientation sessions, offers support, and actively markets the program. Robert Fox, a lawyer for the Equal Protection Project, added that “Harvard is not a bystander; it hosts the orientation, provides support, and promotes the program.”
“By attaching its name to a race‑restricted opportunity, Harvard is engaging in unlawful discrimination,” the filing states. AFSCME launched the program in 2003 in partnership with Harvard Law School’s Center for Labor and a Just Economy. Participants are expected to complete a six‑week field placement on a union organizing campaign.
AFSCME describes the initiative on its website as “a summer internship program for students of color passionate about social justice and workers’ rights.” Yet the Equal Protection Project’s 11‑page complaint insists that the program’s eligibility clearly states applicants must “be a college student of a historically marginalized community,” a phrase often used in place of “underrepresented minority.”
Applications for the 2026 cycle will still be accepted, with a deadline of February 28. The watchdog group argues that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act bars any higher‑education institution that deliberately discriminates on the basis of race from receiving federal funding. It urges Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon and her team to investigate whether Harvard’s involvement violates Title XI.
The complaint notes that Harvard has already lost a Supreme Court case over race‑based admissions, so a swift DOJ response is warranted. President Trump has threatened to strip billions of dollars in research funding from Harvard in retaliation for its refusal to abandon its DEI policies. In September, a federal judge in Boston ruled those threats illegal, giving Harvard a major win. Columbia University has reached a settlement with the administration over similar demands.
Neither Harvard nor AFSCME has yet replied to The Post’s request for comment. Jacobson, a Harvard Law School graduate, said he “fully understands the arrogance and self‑righteousness of the university” and called for an end to the use of race in admissions and related programs.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
