DOJ investigates Harvard over China-linked financial aid programs
The Civil Rights Division is examining whether restrictions attached to foreign funding led Harvard to favor students from certain countries in violation of federal civil rights laws.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) opened an investigation July 20 to determine if Harvard University violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by using China-based funds for financial aid programs that favor students from particular countries.
The compliance review follows an audit of Harvard’s financial disclosures, which found that the university accepts funds from China requiring it to support or establish financial aid programs “with preference given to students from particular countries,” according to a July 20 DOJ press release. The investigation is examining whether Harvard violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits recipients of federal funding from discriminating based on race, color, or national origin.
Harvard’s disclosures show that it has received $4.5 billion in foreign funding — reportedly the most of any American university — including more than $630 million from China-based sources, according to the DOJ’s July 20 letter notifying the university of the investigation.
Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, said the investigation is intended to ensure students have equal access to financial aid opportunities.
“Every American student should have an equal opportunity to compete for college scholarships, grants, and other kinds of financial aid and benefits,” Dhillon said. “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.”
The DOJ’s notice letter, signed by Dhillon, outlined the investigation and requested documents on funding from China or China-affiliated sources, including any restrictions on its use and Harvard’s policies for handling terms based on recipients’ race or national origin.
Dhillon requested that Harvard provide the requested information by July 31, barring the need for an extension.
