DOJ Opens Civil Rights Investigation Into Harvard’s $630 Million In China-Based Funding

The Justice Department announced Monday that it is investigating whether Harvard University's financial aid practices discriminate against American students, opening a compliance review under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 focused on scholarship programs funded by China-based donors.

At the center of the investigation is a question with implications far beyond just Harvard: can a university accept foreign donations that come with strings attached (specifically, requirements that the money fund financial aid favoring students from particular countries) while also receiving federal dollars that prohibit discrimination based on national origin?

"Every American student should have an equal opportunity to compete for college scholarships, grants, and other kinds of financial aid and benefits," said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, who leads the Civil Rights Division. "Schools cannot take federal dollars and then turn around and accept money from foreign sources to give financial aid that deliberately excludes American citizens — doing so is illegal, and we will stop it wherever we find it."

The department stressed it has not reached any conclusions. Harvard, in a statement to The Harvard Crimson, said it "does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, or national origin in allocating financial aid" and that it is reviewing the letter and will engage with the government.