Students File Lawsuit Against Biden Administration Over Scholarship Program

A controversial legal battle arises as white students sue the Biden-Harris Administration over alleged racial discrimination in a new federal scholarship program.

At a Glance

Two students allege racial discrimination in a federal scholarship program.
The lawsuit claims violation of equal protection rights of multiple races.
The McNair program provides stipends, internships, and other resources.
The legal action aims to end race-based treatment in college admissions.

Allegations of Racial Discrimination

The Biden-Harris Administration faces a lawsuit filed by two college students claiming racial discrimination in the $60 million Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. The lawsuit, initiated by the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) on behalf of students Benjamin Rothove and Avery Durfee, along with the Young America’s Foundation, alleges that the scholarship program excludes white, Asian, Jewish, and Arab students, violating their equal protection rights.

WILL deputy counsel Dan Lennington stated, “We want this case to set the precedent that when a student is in college, there can’t be any differing treatment of the student based on race. There can’t be any privileges given or advantages or benefits at all.” According to the lawsuit, students were informed via email that they could not apply for the McNair scholarship solely because they were white. The plaintiffs argue that the program’s criteria excluding non-Black and non-Hispanic students from opportunities like stipends and internships is discriminatory.

The Biden-Harris Administration has approved student debt cancellation for nearly 5 million Americans through various actions – and we will never stop working to make higher education affordable.

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 22, 2024

Broader Legal Implications

This lawsuit is part of a broader trend of challenging race-based policies in higher education. Following the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn affirmative action, various legal groups have geared up to contest similar policies across institutions. For instance, a conservative group recently filed a lawsuit against Northwestern University’s law school, alleging its attempt to hire more women and people of color violates federal anti-discrimination laws.

“Today, the Supreme Court upended decades of precedent that enabled America’s colleges and universities to build vibrant, diverse environments where students are prepared to lead and learn from one another,” a White House statement reflected on the decision. The Biden-Harris Administration has expressed its commitment to continue promoting educational diversity despite these legal challenges.

The only thing stopping millions of Americans from receiving the Biden-Harris Administration’s one-time student debt relief is a lawsuit brought by Republican officials and special interests.

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 14, 2023

Impact on Future Policies

The McNair program, aimed at aiding historically underrepresented groups or low-income, first-generation college students, is now a focal point of the larger debate on educational equity and reverse discrimination. The outcomes of these lawsuits could influence the development and implementation of affirmative action policies and other race-conscious admissions practices in the future.

Lennington mentioned, “We think this is a very broad attack on the Biden-Harris administration’s plan to push DEI into our colleges even further.” Initiatives like these often come under scrutiny, raising crucial questions about fairness, equality, and the best way to address historical injustices while promoting equal opportunities.