The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Monday the commencement of an investigation into the College of William & Mary. The probe aims to ascertain whether various scholarships and student benefits offered by the public research institution in Virginia incorporate unlawful race-based criteria. This action aligns with the broader focus of the Trump administration on educational institutions nationwide.
The DOJ's Civil Rights Division stated it is conducting a compliance review to examine potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This federal statute prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.
“Awarding scholarships or offering coveted opportunities to students based on the color of their skin is illegal and offends the guarantees of our color-blind Constitution,” Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said in a statement. “We will find out if scholarships or other student benefits at William & Mary favor applicants of certain races. The Department will not turn a blind eye to race-based preferences, however they are packaged or portrayed by universities.”
Programs Under Federal Scrutiny
Several programs at William & Mary have drawn the attention of federal investigators:
- W&M Scholars Program: This initiative for first-year undergraduate students offers a scholarship covering at least the full cost of in-state tuition and fees. While not exclusively race-based, the DOJ indicated in a notice to the institution that applicants demonstrating an “interest in diverse people and perspectives” are given “top consideration.” William & Mary’s website lists this consideration alongside academic ability, potential, and first-generation or limited-income status.
- Martha L. Muguira Fellowship: Housed within the W&M School of Education, this need-based fellowship for graduate students reportedly provides a “preference” for Hispanic or Latino women who demonstrate financial need, according to the DOJ.
- Holmes Scholars Program: Also in the W&M School of Education, this doctoral-level program was described by the DOJ as providing mentorship, access to job fairs, position announcements, and national-level professional development benefits—including policy and advocacy training and opportunities to present research—to “future education leaders of color.” The university’s current website characterizes Holmes Scholars as students “from traditionally under-represented backgrounds.”
- Lemon Legal Scholars Program: The DOJ noted that the W&M Law School offers this program, which provides up to five full scholarships covering tuition and fees. The department suggests these scholarships appear to be exclusively for graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). However, William & Mary’s current website states the law school “will award at least five full scholarships” to HBCU graduates admitted to its J.D. program. Recipients of this scholarship also gain access to networking opportunities, one-on-one academic advising for course load and bar exam preparation, and special events with law school faculty, senior administrators, and alumni.
- Reaching Back Scholarship: According to the DOJ, the law school also promotes this need-based scholarship, which gives a “preference” to HBCU graduates or individuals who “contribute to the diversity” of the W&M Law School.
Institutional Context and Response
Some of the programs at William & Mary were established to address the historical legacy of slavery and racial discrimination at the institution.
As part of the compliance review, the DOJ requested that William & Mary provide specific documents and information by September 8. The department expressed its intent to achieve compliance through “informal voluntary means” but noted that it reserves the right to take formal action, potentially including proceedings that could lead to the termination of federal financial assistance if deemed necessary.
In response to the federal inquiry, William & Mary issued a statement affirming its “committed to nondiscriminatory learning environments across our campus and complying with all state and federal laws.”
The Civil Rights Division of the DOJ emphasized that it has not yet reached any conclusions regarding the subject matter of the investigation.
This investigation represents another instance in a series of efforts by the Trump administration to examine educational institutions across the country, focusing on issues such as race-based admissions and scholarships, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and allegations of antisemitism on campuses.
