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PoliticsDOJ investigates Harvard over China-funded scholarships allegedly excluding American students
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The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating Harvard University over its 'China-based financial aid programs,' questioning whether scholarships funded by Chinese donors intentionally exclude American students. Harvard has received hundreds of millions of dollars from Chinese donors for these programs. The investigation focuses on whether the scholarships violate anti-discrimination laws by restricting eligibility based on nationality or ethnicity. The DOJ is examining if the university purposefully structured these financial aid programs to benefit Chinese students while excluding U.S. citizens, potentially in violation of federal civil rights laws. The case raises broader questions about foreign influence in American higher education and the legality of donor-restricted scholarships that discriminate based on national origin.
Source report
By: Collin Binkley, Nick Lichtenberg, Didi Tang, and The Associated Press
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether Harvard University intentionally excluded American students from scholarship opportunities funded by hundreds of millions of dollars in donations from Chinese benefactors.
The inquiry centers on allegations that donations earmarked specifically for Chinese students may have been used in a manner that discriminated against U.S. applicants, potentially violating federal civil rights laws.
Key details of the investigation include:
- Scope of donations: Harvard has received substantial financial contributions from Chinese donors over the years, with funds often designated for scholarships and academic programs.
- DOJ concern: Federal prosecutors are examining whether these donor restrictions led to preferential treatment for Chinese nationals over American students in the allocation of financial aid.
- Legal implications: If the allegations are substantiated, Harvard could face legal action under laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of national origin in educational programs receiving federal funding.
The investigation adds to growing scrutiny of elite U.S. universities and their relationships with foreign donors, particularly from China. Critics argue that such arrangements can undermine equal access for American students, while universities maintain that donor-designated funds expand educational opportunities overall.
Harvard has not issued a public comment on the DOJ inquiry at this time.
This article originally appeared in Fortune.
Source
Fortune | FORTUNEWestern
Part of this Story
Harvard took hundreds of millions from Chinese donors—now the DOJ is asking if Americans were left out on purpose