DOJ Investigates Harvard's Chinese Student Scholarships

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating Harvard University over scholarships earmarked for Chinese students. The investigation, revealed in a letter to Harvard earlier this summer, centers on whether such awards violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on national origin in federally funded programs.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon signed the letter, which states the DOJ audited Harvard's gifts from Chinese donors. It found funds designated for scholarships "with preference given to students from particular countries." The department is demanding more information about those donations and the scholarship recipients.

The Legal Argument

The DOJ's core concern is that the scholarships are set aside specifically for Chinese students. The letter argues this preference could come "to the potential detriment of persons of other national origins including citizens of the United States." This rationale mirrors the department's past challenges to scholarships for racial minorities and LGBTQ+ students. However, this marks the first time the DOJ has targeted awards based explicitly on country of origin.

The letter includes an appendix listing 13 organizations that have apparently donated funds for these scholarships. One listed donor is the "Beijing SOHO China Urban Cultural Foundation," which appears linked to the SOHO China Foundation. That foundation, the charitable arm of a major Chinese real estate firm, made large donations to Harvard and Yale in 2014. Yale's press release at the time stated the funds would provide scholarships to low-income Chinese students.

A Wider Practice

Scholarships based on a student's country of origin are less common than race-based awards, according to Jackie Bright of the National Scholarship Providers Association. Still, many colleges offer such funding. Awards range from small grants to substantial programs like Wesleyan University's African Scholars program, launched in 2023, which offers a full ride to about 10 African students annually.

Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, explained the typical origin of these funds. "A lot of times, these scholarships ..." Aw said. "Most times it would be alumni or friends of the university."

Institutional Uncertainty

The investigation has cast a shadow over the legality of similar scholarships nationwide. Clay Harmon of AIRC: The Association of International Enrollment Management called it "a bit of a gray area." He noted that while many institutions have felt comfortable offering country-specific awards, some public systems are "very sensitive about this and are much more cautious."

Harmon suggested institutions might tweak scholarship criteria to avoid scrutiny. Instead of requiring birth in a specific country, awards could target students with an interest in or experience living there. However, Bright indicated no such scholarships have changed their language or criteria so far.

According to the Institute of International Education's Open Doors report, only about 12.6 percent of international undergraduates rely on institutional funding. Yet, elite schools like Harvard often cover full financial need. A 2025 analysis by The Boston Globe found Harvard provides financial assistance to international students at a higher rate than to domestic students.

Harmon warned that removing these funding opportunities further discourages international students from choosing the U.S., adding to a list of Trump administration actions experts say are making the country less appealing.