DOJ probing Harvard over ‘China-based’ financial aid programs
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated an inquiry into Harvard University concerning its alleged China-linked financial aid programs. the review aims to determine if these programs unlawfully discriminate against U.S. citizens by prioritizing foreign students, perhaps violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin by federally funded institutions. The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division identified foreign gifts and contracts from Chinese sources that may restrict aid use and favor students from certain countries, possibly disadvantaging others, including Americans. Harvard has denied any wrongdoing, affirming compliance wiht laws and non-discriminatory aid practices. The investigation also includes examining documents related to foreign contributions and policies regarding restrictions tied to race or nationality. The issue arises amidst increased scrutiny by the US government on foreign funding in higher education, especially from China, which Harvard has received substantial funding from over decades. China’s embassy spokesperson defended academic exchanges, emphasizing their mutually beneficial nature. The investigation underscores concerns over national security risks and transparency related to foreign funding in U.S. universities.
The Department of Justice said Monday it has opened a review into Harvard University‘s alleged China-linked financial aid programs to determine whether they unlawfully discriminate against students who are U.S. citizens.
In a letter to Harvard, the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division said an audit of the university’s foreign funding disclosures found multiple gifts and contracts from China-based sources that allegedly restrict the use of funds to provide financial aid with a preference for students from “particular countries,” according to the letter.
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The department said those restrictions appear to give preference to foreign students, “presumably Chinese,” based on national origin, potentially disadvantaging students from other countries, including U.S. citizens. If so, the department said, the practice could violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin by institutions receiving federal funding.
As part of the review, the DOJ requested documents related to contributions from the People’s Republic of China and other China-affiliated foreign sources that include restrictions on how scholarship or financial aid funds may be distributed. The department also requested Harvard’s policies and procedures for handling foreign gifts that contain restrictions tied to recipients’ race or national origin.
“Every American student should have an equal opportunity to compete for college scholarships, grants, and other kinds of financial aid and benefits,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division said in a statement. “Schools cannot take federal dollars and then turn around and accept money from foreign sources to give financial aid that deliberately excludes American citizens — doing so is illegal, and we will stop it wherever we find it.”
Harvard denied the allegations.
“Harvard follows the law for required reporting of donations and, consistent with our legal obligations under Title VI, does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, or national origin in allocating financial aid,” the university said in a statement.
Liu Chang, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, defended educational ties between the two countries, saying China-U.S. academic cooperation is mutually beneficial.
“China maintains that normal education and academic exchange should not be disrupted for political purposes,” Liu said.
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Harvard, along with a few other U.S. universities, receives foreign funding through donations and research contracts. The Trump administration has increased scrutiny of foreign funding at American universities, arguing that money from foreign adversaries can pose national security risks and should be subject to greater transparency.
Federal disclosures show Harvard has reported receiving roughly $630 million from Chinese sources over several decades and about $4.5 billion in foreign funding overall. The DOJ cited those figures in announcing its review but did not identify any specific donors or financial aid programs under investigation.
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