Harvard’s Scholarship Program Faces Federal Complaint
Harvard University is under scrutiny following a federal complaint filed regarding its scholarship program that is described as “racially restricted.” This program is specifically aimed at students of color, according to reports.
The complaint criticizes Harvard for promoting the Union Scholars Summer Scholarship Program, which targets “students of color,” offering ten selected applicants $4,800 in scholarships alongside $6,000 in need-based assistance.
William Jacobson, who leads the Equal Protection Project—the organization that filed the complaint—questioned why Harvard does not recognize that it is engaging in racial discrimination. He stated, “The U.S. Supreme Court ordered Harvard to cancel… now it’s up to the Department of Justice to enforce that.” Jacobson, who is also a Harvard alum, seemed quite firm in his stance.
Already in 2023, Harvard was involved in a major Supreme Court case where the court ruled against affirmative action in admissions, further complicating its position on race-related policies.
The Equal Protection Project’s complaint was addressed to the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, alleging racial bias in the scholarship program.
This situation unfolds as the Trump administration exerts pressure on Harvard to reconsider its diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies, encouraging a more welcoming environment for conservative viewpoints while also addressing anti-Semitism on campus.
Jacobson remarked, “The Harvard University Scholars Program provides invaluable benefits to students and should be available to everyone, irrespective of race.” Although the Union Scholars Program is run by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the complaint asserts that Harvard plays an active role in supporting this initiative.
Robert Fox, an attorney with the Equal Protection Project, emphasized that Harvard is not merely an observer in this situation, stating, “We host orientation, provide support, and promote our programs.”
The complaint alleges that Harvard’s association with such racially targeted opportunities constitutes unlawful discrimination. The Union Scholars Program, developed in collaboration with Harvard Law School’s Center for Labor and Justice Economics, has been in place since 2003 and requires participating students to engage in six weeks of “field training in union organizing campaigns.”
AFSCME promotes the program as a “summer internship initiative for students of color passionate about social justice and worker rights” on their website. However, the Equal Protection Project’s complaint argued that eligibility is “clearly racially restricted,” noting that it seeks applicants from historically marginalized communities—terms often synonymous with underrepresented minorities.
As applications for next year’s program remain open until February 28, 2026, the Equal Protection Project is urging the Department of Justice to look into whether Harvard’s actions violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which restricts institutions engaging in racial discrimination from receiving federal funds.
Given Harvard’s history of litigation regarding race-based admissions policies, the complaint calls for prompt investigation by Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon and his team.
It’s notable that President Trump has previously warned of cutting off funding to Harvard if the school does not comply with requests to end DEI and race-based practices. Despite this pressure, a federal judge recently ruled against the legality of such threats in a case from September.
Meanwhile, other prestigious universities like Columbia have reached agreements with the Trump administration regarding its demands.
As of now, neither Harvard University nor AFSCME has responded to inquiries for comments on the complaint. Jacobson, reflecting on his own time at Harvard Law School, expressed frustration, saying, “Enough is enough when it comes to the use of race in admissions, whether it’s a university or its program.”
