DOJ opens probe into prestigious college over alleged discrimination favoring minority students

The Department of Justice launched an investigation on Monday into the College of William & Mary to determine whether certain scholarships and student benefits at the Virginia-based public research institution include unlawful race-based criteria, adding to the Trump administration's targeting of educational institutions across the country.

The DOJ's Civil Rights Division announced it was opening a compliance review for the college's potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs or activities receiving 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," she continued.

DOJ OPENS PROBE INTO HARVARD'S FINANCIAL AID FOR ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AMERICAN STUDENTS The "W&M Scholars" program for first-year undergraduate students includes a scholarship that covers at least the full cost of in-state tuition and fees.

While the scholarship is not limited to any particular race, the DOJ said in a notice letter to the institution that applicants with an "interest in diverse people and perspectives" receive "top consideration." William & Mary's website lists that consideration alongside academic ability and potential and first-generation or limited-income status.

The W&M School of Education's need-based Martha L.

Muguira Fellowship for graduate students gives a "preference" to Hispanic or Latino women, who have financial need, according to the DOJ.

The W&M School of Education's doctoral-level Holmes Scholars program was described by the DOJ as giving "future education leaders of color" mentorship, access to job fairs and position announcements, as well as national-level professional development benefits, including policy and advocacy training and opportunities to present their research.

William & Mary's current website describes Holmes Scholars as students "from traditionally under-represented backgrounds." The DOJ said the W&M Law School offers the Lemon Legal Scholars Program.

The DOJ said W&M Law offers up to five full scholarships covering tuition and fees that appear to be exclusively for HBCU graduates.

William & Mary's current website, however, says the law school "will award at least five full scholarships" to HBCU graduates admitted to its J.D. program.