The Trump administration has initiated a federal civil rights investigation into Florida State University (FSU). The focus is on 32 scholarships alleged to discriminate on the basis of race or sex. This move by the Department of Education (DOE) comes after a complaint filed in July 2025 by the Equal Protection Project (EPP). The allegation suggests violations of Title VI and Title IX relating to race, color, and national origin discrimination.
William Jacobson, leading the EPP and a Cornell Law professor, emphasized the issue’s prominence: “FSU has an unusually high number of discriminatory scholarships.” He noted that FSU’s situation stands out due to Florida’s active stance against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, claiming the university is not aligned with the state politics on this matter.
“We have challenged over 290 colleges and universities, and only a handful have this many [discriminatory scholarships],” Jacobson stated.
The EPP’s complaint outlines specific scholarships, with 14 alleged to discriminate based on race, 13 on sex, and 5 on both. The DOE will now examine if these programs infringe federal laws, but has yet to conclude any violations have occurred.
FSU responded, asserting that their scholarships are available to all students. They argue that donor preferences do not translate into eligibility requirements. They further clarified that private donations fund these scholarships, and recipients are selected purely on merit.
Jacobson questioned the legality of attributing preferences to donors, spotlighting programs like the Crockett Family Fund for Excellence, which prefers African American recipients. He deems any attempts to shift responsibility onto donors as inadequate and claims the scholarships remain the university’s responsibility.
Other programs targeted include the Crossman Career Builders Scholarship and the Disciples of the Diamond Spring 81 Scholarship, each with specified demographic preferences. The EPP aims to keep the funding but insists on eliminating discriminatory practices, seeking equal opportunity for all students.
The DOE’s Office for Civil Rights will function as a neutral party, gathering evidence from FSU, the complainant, and other sources to reach an informed decision. While the investigation’s outcome remains uncertain, the involvement of federal authorities signifies its gravity.
Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier have been urged to probe these allegations further. Jacobson seeks to understand why discrimination persists in scholarship programs at a notably significant state university.