The federal government has launched a civil rights investigation into Florida State University (FSU) concerning 32 scholarships accused of discrimination based on race or sex. This action follows a complaint filed by the Equal Protection Project (EPP), as revealed in a letter from the Department of Education (DOE) obtained by Fox News Digital.
The inquiry by the DOE’s Office for Civil Rights will determine if FSU has breached Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by discriminating on the grounds of race, color, or national origin. It will also assess potential violations of Title IX regarding sex-based discrimination.
The EPP’s complaint from July 2025, which targets these 32 scholarships, prompted this investigation. The DOE’s letter lists the programs and notes that FSU, a recipient of federal financial assistance, is obligated to comply with both Title VI and Title IX.
“Florida State, surprisingly, has one of the largest contingencies of discriminatory scholarships that we’ve seen anywhere,” stated William Jacobson, founder of the EPP and a Cornell Law professor. He explained that out of over 290 institutions challenged by his organization, FSU stands out prominently.
Jacobson pointed out that the presence of such scholarships was unexpected, given Florida’s commitment to eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education. He noted that the state has proactively tackled these issues more than many others.
FSU’s Response
FSU responded by asserting that all students are eligible for the scholarships being reviewed. The university stated that though donors might have preferences, these do not equate to eligibility criteria.
Parmiel experts and administrators affirmed that scholarships are privately funded and merit-based. They emphasized no student gets disqualified or favored due to donor preferences.
Dispute Details
A critical aspect of the investigation involves FSU’s differentiation between a donor’s stated preference and formal eligibility requirements. Jacobson remarked that simply attributing preferences to donors does not absolve the university of responsibility.
Among the programs questioned, the Crockett Family Fund for Excellence, while open to any student, specified a donor preference for African American or Black recipients.
“They try to couch this in terms of offloading the blame onto the donor,” noted Jacobson. He argued that legally, the scholarships are still FSU’s responsibility.
Additional programs include scholarships like Crossman Career Builders, which preferred female recipients from specific racial or ethnic backgrounds, and Dynamic African American Women in Engineering Powerhouse, favoring African American female students.
Legal Implications
The EPP’s complaint alleges that these scholarships contravene not only federal laws like Title VI and Title IX but also the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, given FSU’s public university status. Furthermore, it claims violations of Florida law and FSU’s nondiscrimination policy.
The DOE has not made a final determination regarding FSU’s legal compliance. The Office for Civil Rights clarified that the investigation’s initiation does not imply any findings yet. It commits to gathering evidence from all involved parties.
Jacobson emphasized that the aim is not to dismantle scholarship opportunities. “We want the discrimination disbanded and shut down,” he explained while advocating for equitable student access.
The EPP has also reached out to Florida authorities, urging investigations by the Attorney General and the Governor’s Office.
Representatives from DeSantis’ and Uthmeier’s offices, along with the DOE, have not commented on these developments.
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