US Justice Department probes Harvard's China‑funded scholarships for possible discrimination

The U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has opened a compliance review under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to examine Harvard University’s scholarship programs that are funded by Chinese donors. The investigation focuses on whether donor‑imposed restrictions that limit aid to students from certain countries result in unlawful discrimination against U.S. citizens. Harvard’s foreign‑funding disclosures show about $4.5 billion in total foreign gifts, including more than $630 million from China‑based sources. The department has not identified specific scholarships or donors and has not reached any conclusions. Harvard said it is reviewing the notice and that its financial‑aid policies comply with all applicable laws. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon emphasized that “schools cannot take federal dollars and then turn around and accept money from foreign sources to give financial aid that deliberately excludes American citizens.” The Chinese embassy described U.S.–China educational cooperation as mutually beneficial. The review was announced in late July 2026.