Florida State University (FSU) is currently under legal scrutiny after a civil rights complaint was filed alleging that 32 scholarships offered by the institution discriminate on the basis of race and gender. The complaint, filed by the Equal Protection Project (EPP) with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, claims that several scholarships at FSU contain language that favors certain racial or gender groups, raising concerns over potential violations of federal civil rights laws.
What are the allegations against FSU scholarships?
The Equal Protection Project expressed surprise at the scope of the alleged discriminatory scholarships, especially within a state that has recently emphasised anti-“woke” policies. “We did not expect to find such a large number of discriminatory scholarships at a major state university in the anti-woke Free State of Florida,” the organisation stated, reports The College Fix.Several scholarships under examination include explicit donor preferences for recipients of particular racial or gender identities. For example, the Crossman Career Builders Scholarship states “it is the preference of the donor that the recipient be a female who is Black/African American, Hispanic, or a member of the Seminole Tribe.” Other scholarships named in the complaint include the Crockett Family Fund for Excellence and the Dr. Hulon and Dinah Crayton Endowed Scholarship, which similarly grant preferences based on race or gender. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Book Stipend’s description notes, “Any student may apply to be considered for the award; however, it is the preference of the donor that the recipient be an African American student.” All scholarship descriptions contain donor-imposed conditions that EPP alleges violate civil rights laws, including preferences for “female,” “African American male,” or specific racial or ethnic group membership, as detailed by Campus Reform.
Legal grounds for the complaint
The complaint alleges that these scholarship criteria violate key federal statutes. Specifically, it cites Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits racial discrimination in programs receiving federal funds; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which bans sex-based discrimination in educational settings; and the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, which guards against discriminatory legislation targeting specific groups.
Florida State University’s response
In response, FSU has defended its scholarship practices. Amy Farnum-Patronis, senior director of the Office of University Communications at FSU, told The College Fix that all students are eligible to apply for and receive these scholarships regardless of race or gender. She emphasised that the scholarships are fully funded through private donations, not university funds, ensuring that the scholarships do not impact the institution’s budget.
Broader context and impact
The Equal Protection Project’s complaint is part of a broader campaign to address discriminatory practices in higher education. According to the organisation, it has filed more than 70 complaints with the Office for Civil Rights, underscoring the widespread nature of such concerns across American universities.Leigh Ann O’Neill, senior legal strategy attorney at the America First Policy Institute, told The College Fix that legal action remains crucial to eliminating discriminatory practices on campuses nationwide. “Legal actions like this one are the only way to rid our higher education system of them once and for all. Every last dollar of federal funding must be threatened,” she said. O’Neill also noted that discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices are not limited to elite universities but are prevalent across many institutions.At present, the Office for Civil Rights is reviewing the complaint against Florida State University. The outcome could have significant implications for scholarship funding policies, university obligations under civil rights laws, and the role of donor preferences in educational equity.TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
