Federal Lawsuits Against Colorado University Over Scholarship Practices
WASHINGTON — A public university in Colorado is currently facing two federal civil rights lawsuits. The complaints claim that 20 of its scholarship programs are unlawfully based on race or are reserved for undocumented immigrants.
Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) is accused of violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law prohibits higher education institutions from receiving federal funds if they discriminate based on race or national origin.
The lawsuits were filed on Friday with the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights, which acts as a legal watchdog.
William Jacobson, president and founder of the Equal Protection Project, expressed his outrage, stating it’s unacceptable for any federally funded university to provide scholarships that disadvantage American-born students.
Of the 20 programs under scrutiny at MSU Denver, 11 are considered race-based. The remaining nine appear to cater exclusively to undocumented immigrants and recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Most of these scholarship programs use ambiguous language. While they don’t outright exclude non-minority applicants, the wording suggests they might not be eligible. For instance, the Stephen & Ruth Jordan Student Access Endowed Scholarship prioritizes first-generation students and “members of ethnic minorities.”
Similarly, the Irv Brown Endowed Scholarship specifies an award of over $3,000 for “illegal alien students.”
Founded in 1965, MSU Denver has around 17,000 undergraduate students, with 57% identifying as non-white. The university promotes itself as a “Hispanic-serving institution,” dedicated to supporting DACA and undocumented students.
The university’s website emphasizes its desire to create an inclusive community, appreciating diverse perspectives while fostering policies aimed at enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A university spokesperson stated that MSU Denver regularly reviews its scholarship standards to ensure they align with federal and state laws. They also highlighted that the university provides over $97 million in grants and scholarships to students from all backgrounds, significantly aiding the financial challenges faced by nearly 60 percent of its student body.
Last summer, the Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights admitted to investigating five universities for similar scholarship practices discriminating based on country of origin.
Jacobson noted that since the last election, many universities have attempted to hide such discriminatory practices, suggesting they previously boasted about them under different leadership. He mentioned their aim for 2026 would be to uncover any remaining problematic programs.
The Equal Protection Project focuses on filing federal complaints against educational institutions over scholarships and other initiatives that purportedly breach civil rights laws. The group stands firm on the belief that no form of racism can be justified.
