U.S. Department of Education to Revise Race-Based Rules for Student Aid
The U.S. Department of Education is set to revise its race-based criteria for federal student aid, as outlined in a legal notice released on Tuesday.
The Young America’s Foundation (YAF) has requested that the Department of Education dismiss ongoing litigation, citing the department’s new stance as sufficient to resolve the matter.
According to YAF, the department previously faced allegations of racial discrimination regarding eligibility for the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program for the year 2024. They argued that students could only qualify for funding if they met criteria such as being “low-income, first-generation college students,” belonging to “underrepresented groups in graduate education,” or being identified as “underrepresented.”
Current federal rules define “underrepresented” groups in graduate programs, which include individuals from various ethnic backgrounds such as Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
Nevertheless, YAF contends that the Department of Education intends to amend the eligibility guidelines with its new regulations.
“Finally, the U.S. Department of Education plans to abolish the race-based eligibility criteria in the McNair Rule through future regulations,” the motion states.
The Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that changes are indeed on the way.
Ellen Keast, a spokeswoman for higher education, remarked, “In line with the Department of Justice’s guidance, the Department of Education has chosen not to apply the race-based criteria from the McNair program, and we will adapt our regulations accordingly.”
YAF also pointed out that former President Trump’s executive order against unlawful discrimination added more context to their claims of resolution.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon had previously hinted at revisions to race-based criteria in a statement made in December, following a review by the Office of General Counsel.
In her statement, McMahon called the use of racial quotas for determining eligibility for federal education funding unconstitutional, asserting that taxpayer funds should not be allocated based on race.
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program remains operational. The program requires that “at least two-thirds” of its participants be “low-income potential first-generation college students,” though the remaining participants may come from underrepresented groups in graduate education.
