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· collected 2026-08-18 · by Landon Mion
The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into William & Mary College in Virginia over allegations that it favors minority students in its scholarship programs and student benefits. The probe focuses on four specific programs, including the W&M Scholars program, which gives top consideration to applicants with an interest in diverse perspectives, and the Holmes Scholars program, which provides mentorship and national-level professional development benefits to future education leaders of color. According to DOJ documents, these programs may violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits race-based discrimination in federally funded programs. The investigation was announced by Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, who stated that awarding scholarships based on skin color is "illegal and offends our color-blind Constitution."
Written by the local model on 2026-08-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an investigation into William & Mary, a public research institution in Virginia, over allegations that certain scholarships and student benefits favor minority students. The investigation, announced on Monday, is looking into whether the college's programs include unlawful race-based criteria. This probe is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to target educational institutions across the country for issues such as race-based admissions and diversity programs. The DOJ's Civil Rights Division is reviewing William & Mary's compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race or national origin in federally funded programs. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated that awarding scholarships based on skin color is "illegal and offends the guarantees of our color-blind Constitution." The investigation will determine whether William & Mary's scholarships, including its "W&M Scholars" program for first-year students, unfairly favor certain racial groups.
Written for “College Discrimination Probe” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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Leaning score +0.80 for article 1134 (low confidence, 0 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-24
The Department of Justice launched an investigation on Monday into the College of William & Mary to determine whether certain scholarships and student benefits at the Virginia-based public research institution include unlawful race-based criteria, adding to the Trump administration's targeting of educational institutions across the country.
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scholarships → launch → country
The DOJ's Civil Rights Division announced it was opening a compliance review for the college's potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.
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which → announce → assistance
"Awarding scholarships or offering coveted opportunities to students based on the color of their skin is illegal and offends the guarantees of our color-blind Constitution," Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said in a statement.
"
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Dhillon → award → statement
We will find out if scholarships or other student benefits at William & Mary favor applicants of certain races.
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scholarships → find → races
The Department will not turn a blind eye to race-based preferences, however they are packaged or portrayed by universities," she continued.
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she → turn → universities
The "W&M Scholars" program for first-year undergraduate students includes a scholarship that covers at least the full cost of in-state tuition and fees.
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that → include → tuition
While the scholarship is not limited to any particular race, the DOJ said in a notice letter to the institution that applicants with an "interest in diverse people and perspectives" receive "top consideration."
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applicants → limit → consideration
William & Mary's website lists that consideration alongside academic ability and potential and first-generation or limited-income status.
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website → list → ability
The W&M School of Education's need-based Martha L. Muguira Fellowship for graduate students gives a "preference" to Hispanic or Latino women, who have financial need, according to the DOJ.
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who → base → DOJ
The W&M School of Education's doctoral-level Holmes Scholars program was described by the DOJ as giving "future education leaders of color" mentorship, access to job fairs and position announcements, as well as national-level professional development benefits, including policy and advocacy training and opportunities to present their research.
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program → describe → research
William & Mary's current website describes Holmes Scholars as students "from traditionally under-represented backgrounds."
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website → describe → backgrounds
The DOJ said the W&M Law School offers the Lemon Legal Scholars Program.
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School → say → Program
The DOJ said W&M Law offers up to five full scholarships covering tuition and fees that appear to be exclusively for HBCU graduates.
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that → say → graduates
William & Mary's current website, however, says the law school "will award at least five full scholarships" to HBCU graduates admitted to its J.D. program.
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school → say → program
Recipients of this scholarship also receive networking opportunities, one-on-one academic advising regarding course load and bar exam preparation, as well as access to special events with W&M Law School faculty, senior administrators and alumni.
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Recipients → receive → faculty
The law school also advertises the "Reaching Back Scholarship," which is a need-based scholarship that has a "preference" for HBCU graduates or those "who contribute to the diversity" of W&M Law School, the DOJ said.
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DOJ → advertise → School
Some programs at the institution were established to deal with the legacy of slavery and racial discrimination at William & Mary.
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programs → establish → William
The DOJ urged William & Mary to hand over certain documents and information by September 8 as part of the compliance review.
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DOJ → urge → review
The department said it wants to secure compliance by "informal voluntary means" but may take formal action such as proceedings that could result in the termination of federal financial assistance if it deems such a move necessary.
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move → say → assistance
Responding to the federal probe, William & Mary said in a statement that it is "committed to nondiscriminatory learning environments across our campus and complying with all state and federal laws."
The DOJ's Civil Rights Division said it had not reached any conclusions about the subject matter of the investigation.
This is just the latest effort by the Trump administration to target educational institutions across the nation for issues such as race-based admissions and scholarships, diversity, equity and inclusion programs and alleged antisemitism on campus.
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This → respond → campus
