The University of Alabama is under federal scrutiny following a civil rights complaint alleging that one of its scholarships discriminates based on race.
The complaint, filed by the Equal Protection Project, a national nonprofit advocating for race-neutral treatment in education, targets the university’s Norton-Textra Endowed Scholarship, which previously specified eligibility for African-American students majoring in English writing.
Filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the complaint alleges that the scholarship program violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits racial discrimination in any program receiving federal financial assistance. The case is part of a broader effort to challenge what the organization calls “race-exclusionary practices” in higher education.
Federal Response: End Race-Based Preferences
In a February 14, 2025 letter to the University of Alabama, OCR Acting Assistant Secretary Craig Trainor emphasized the Department’s commitment to investigating claims of racial discrimination. The letter, obtained by WDHN, stated that some institutions “have discriminated against students on the basis of race, including white and Asian students,” calling for an end to race-based preferences and stereotyping.
The letter further criticized efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that incorporate “explicit race-consciousness,” labeling such practices as a form of discrimination cloaked in progressive terminology.
Government Position: Merit-Based Evaluation Must Prevail
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon affirmed the Department’s position in a recent statement to the Alabama Reflector:
“Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment.”
As of April 26, the University of Alabama’s scholarship webpage no longer references race among the eligibility criteria for the Norton-Textra scholarship, instead focusing on academic standing, GPA, and full-time enrollment.
Background: DEI Programs Under Pressure
The lawsuit comes amid a larger national backlash against DEI programs in public institutions. In 2024, Alabama passed legislation banning state-funded DEI initiatives and the teaching of what it calls “divisive concepts.” In response, the University of Alabama shuttered its Black Student Union and LGBTQ+ resource center, actions that drew both praise and condemnation across political lines.
The University is not alone. According to recent reports, at least 45 other colleges and universities are under federal review for alleged race-based exclusions in graduate-level scholarships and fellowships.
Legal Outlook
If the Office for Civil Rights determines the University of Alabama violated Title VI, the institution could face sanctions, including the potential loss of federal funding unless it makes policy changes.
The case may also have ripple effects across other institutions maintaining race-conscious scholarship programs.
The University has not yet issued a formal response to the complaint.
