Justice Department reviews William & Mary for Title VI violations

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a compliance review of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va., over its

Scholarship and student benefits racial criteria, and whether it violates Title VI under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, is being investigated at William & Mary by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin. The Justice Department noted the Constitution is colorblind and that colleges and universities should base no scholarship or benefits on any student's race or national origin. 

William & Mary, in Williamsburg, Va., was founded in the 17th century and is America's second-oldest institution of higher education. Enrollment is about 7,000 for undergraduates and 2,700 for graduate students.

“Awarding scholarships or offering coveted opportunities to students based on the color of their skin is illegal and offends the guarantees of our colorblind Constitution,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who oversees the Civil Rights Division, said in a statement.

The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from the Justice Department about next steps if the review finds a violation.

The Justice Department sent a letter putting the university on notice on Monday. 

William & Mary directed inquiries by The Center Square to its website, where the school said in a statement that it is “committed to nondiscriminatory learning environments across our campus and complying with all state and federal laws.”

William & Mary said it's reviewing the letter and does not comment on pending legal matters. 

The university holds an overall acceptance rate of 34%, and total direct costs for out-of-state undergraduate students for the 2026-27 school year are $71,895. For in-state tuition, direct costs are $44,881.

There are three scholarship programs the Justice Department is reviewing.

One is the W&M Scholars for first-year undergraduate students, which can cover up to the cost of in-state tuition and fees. The Justice Department notes that the program considers applicants with an “interest in diverse people and perspectives.”

W&M School of Education offers the need-based Martha L. Muguira Fellowship to graduate students. The Justice Department says these awards give “preference” to Hispanic or Latino women.

“Preference is given to Hispanic or Latino women who have financial need,” the fellowship application states. "If there are no qualifying students in the School of Education, the fellowship should be given to a student in the College of Arts & Sciences, with a preference given to Hispanic or Latino women with financial need."

It includes a box to select whether the applicant is Hispanic or Latino. 

The William & Mary Law School offers the Lemon Legal Scholars Program. This is for graduates of historically Black colleges and universities who are accepted into doctor of jurisprudence classes. The program offers up to five full-ride scholarships. HBCU graduates will be automatically considered for the Lemon Program and will be exclusively granted the scholarship.