UCLA Faces Federal Lawsuit Over Discriminatory Scholarship Programs

William A. Jacobson, a law professor at Cornell and founder of the Equal Protection Project, has initiated a federal civil rights lawsuit against the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The suit, filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, claims that UCLA operates several scholarship programs that discriminate based on race, gender, and national origin.

The lawsuit specifically points to 13 scholarship programs, stating that they include awards designated for “LatinX” freshmen, “Pilipinx” students, “undocumented undergraduate students,” and female-only applicants. According to the complaint, these practices violate Titles VI and IX of the Civil Rights Act, which forbids discrimination in institutions receiving federal funding.

“It’s quite surprising that a large, well-respected university like UCLA would have scholarships that are discriminatory based on race and gender,” Jacobson remarked. “They should understand the implications of administering such programs.”

The scholarships in question include the UCLA Latino Alumni Scholarship, intended for “incoming Latino freshmen and transfer students,” and the Filipino Alumni Award, aimed at students who “demonstrate membership in the Pilipinx community.” There are also grants such as the Undocumented Alumni Association Scholarship for undocumented students and the Raza Women’s Alumni Association Scholarship, which prioritizes “incoming Latina freshmen and transfer students.”

Interestingly, this emphasis on “LatinX” stands in contrast to remarks made by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who recently stated, “Nobody calls me Latino.” Despite his choice of terms, UCLA continues to use “LatinX” in its official classification for scholarships funded by taxpayers.

Additional scholarships named in the lawsuit include those for students of Armenian descent and a Deloitte Foundation Award for “outstanding female students.” The complaint asserts that such criteria breach both federal law and UCLA’s own anti-discrimination policies.

The suit requests federal authorities to pause UCLA’s federal funding until a thorough investigation is conducted and any necessary adjustments are made to the scholarship programs.

In response, UCLA maintains that its “identity-conscious” awards process adheres to federal, state, and university regulations. They explain that awards may involve considerations of race, gender, and other identity factors, but insist that this doesn’t affect scholarship eligibility or amounts.

Jacobson argues that the university’s policies still skirt legal boundaries. “Educational opportunities shouldn’t be based on race, color, national origin, or sex, as outlined in Titles VI and IX of the Civil Rights Act,” he said. “It’s important for higher education to appreciate the unique value each student brings rather than placing them in categories based on identity.”

The official complaint, submitted on November 7, seeks to prompt the Department of Education into a formal investigation and ensure compliance with federal law.

As of now, UCLA and Newsom’s office have not publicly addressed any inquiries related to the lawsuit.