The Justice Department is investigating Harvard University scholarships earmarked for Chinese students, a move that could draw new attention to aid programs at other colleges that reserve funding for students from specific countries. The department says the arrangement may violate Title VI, which bars discrimination based on race, color and national origin in federally funded programs.
Key facts
- The DOJ wrote to Harvard that it was auditing gifts from Chinese donors and found funds designated for scholarships “with preference given to students from particular countries.”
- Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon’s letter said Harvard appeared to be providing aid “to the potential detriment of persons of other national origins including citizens of the United States.”
- The department said it was investigating the scholarships and requested more information about the donations and the recipients.
- The case is the first time the DOJ has raised alarm about scholarships based on country of origin.
- Scholarships for students from specific countries or regions do exist at other institutions, including Wesleyan University’s African Scholars program, launched in 2023.
What does this mean for students and universities?
For students, the immediate effect is uncertainty around a small but visible category of international aid: scholarships tied to a student’s country of origin. For universities, especially those with donor-funded awards aimed at specific national groups, the Harvard inquiry signals possible scrutiny of scholarship language, eligibility rules and donor intent.
Experts quoted in the report said such scholarships are less common than race-based awards, but they are not unusual. Some institutions may respond by adjusting criteria to reduce legal risk, such as shifting from birthplace requirements to rules tied to lived experience or interest in a country.
Why is the DOJ focusing on these scholarships?
The department’s concern appears to be less about the origin of the money than about aid reserved for students from a particular country. In its letter, the DOJ said Harvard’s use of those funds could violate Title VI, and it referenced scholarships for Chinese students as the specific example under review.
The letter also followed broader Trump administration scrutiny of foreign donations to universities, which officials have framed as a national security and foreign influence issue. In this case, however, the cited concern is discrimination tied to national origin.
How common are country-based scholarships?
They are much less common than scholarships based on race, according to Jackie Bright, president and CEO of the National Scholarship Providers Association. Still, colleges do offer awards for students from specific countries or regions, often funded by alumni, faculty members or other donors with ties to the institution.
Examples in the report range from smaller grants to Wesleyan University’s African Scholars program, which offers a full ride to about 10 African students annually. NAFSA’s Fanta Aw said these awards often help expand access and support people-to-people exchange.
Could other universities change their scholarship rules?
Yes, that is a plausible response. Clay Harmon of AIRC said some institutions may make small changes to scholarship criteria to avoid scrutiny, including replacing country-of-birth requirements with broader language about cultural interest or time spent living in a country. Bright said she has not seen evidence that such scholarships have changed their language so far.
Harmon also noted that institutions differ in how cautious they are, with some public institutions especially sensitive to legal risk. The Harvard case could therefore influence how universities review existing donor-funded aid, even if no immediate policy shift follows.
FAQ
Are scholarships based on a student’s country of origin illegal?
The DOJ says Harvard’s country-based scholarships may violate Title VI, but the report describes the issue as a gray area in higher education. Experts quoted in the story said institutions make their own risk assessments, and similar awards have existed at many colleges.
Have universities already changed these scholarships?
According to Jackie Bright, it does not appear that any such scholarships have changed their language or criteria so far. Clay Harmon said he would not be surprised if some institutions eventually tweak eligibility rules to reduce scrutiny.
What happens next?
The DOJ has demanded more information from Harvard about the scholarships and the recipients. The investigation could help determine how federal officials view donor-funded awards limited to students from particular countries and whether other institutions will reassess similar programs.
