The George Floyd Memorial Scholarship at North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is under fire for allegedly violating the Civil Rights Act. A federal complaint filed by the Legal Insurrection Foundation claims that the scholarship, which is specifically for Black or African American students, discriminates against other racial groups. The foundation argues that this violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin in programs that receive federal financial assistance.
The scholarship, established in 2020 to support young Black American leaders, requires applicants to be of Black or African American descent. Those who do not meet this racial criteria are automatically ineligible for the scholarship. The complaint alleges that this exclusion of non-Black applicants is a violation of Title VI and is calling for the scholarship to be reevaluated to ensure compliance with the law. The Legal Insurrection Foundation believes that discrimination against any racial group, whether white or non-white, is unlawful and should not be supported by federal financial assistance.
In their complaint, civil rights attorney Ameer Benno and Cornell University law professor William Jacobson argue that North Central University is breaking the law by offering a scholarship that excludes certain racial groups. They stress that discrimination against any racial group, regardless of the reasons behind it, goes against the principles of equality and fairness outlined in the Civil Rights Act. The foundation’s mission of advancing free expression and academic freedom on college campuses aligns with their stance against discrimination in any form.
North Central University has not yet responded to the accusations made in the federal complaint regarding the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship. The university’s decision to offer a scholarship exclusively for Black or African American students has sparked debate about the legality of such programs and their compliance with federal regulations. The scholarship is currently open for applications for the 2024-25 academic year, with the recipient set to be selected by June. It remains to be seen how the university will address the concerns raised by the Legal Insurrection Foundation and whether any changes will be made to ensure compliance with the Civil Rights Act.
The controversy surrounding the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship highlights the complex issues surrounding race-based scholarships and their legality under federal civil rights laws. While scholarships aimed at supporting underrepresented minority groups can help promote diversity and equity in education, they must also comply with anti-discrimination laws to ensure fairness for all applicants. The outcome of the federal complaint filed against North Central University will shed light on how institutions navigate the intersection of race, scholarships, and civil rights in higher education.
