A new federal civil rights complaint targets the University of Louisville over six scholarships alleged to violate Title VI and the 14th Amendment. Filed by the Equal Protection Project on June 11, the complaint claims the university unlawfully discriminates based on race, national origin, and immigration status.
The scholarships include awards designated for underrepresented minorities, LGBTQ+ students of color, and specifically Hispanic/Latino and undocumented individuals. One fund, the Sagar Patagundi Scholarship, is reserved for DACA recipients and undocumented students—criteria the complaint says amount to national origin discrimination.
The Equal Protection Project argues public universities receiving federal funding cannot limit scholarships based on these characteristics. The group has asked the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to investigate and, if necessary, refer the case to the Department of Justice.
William A. Jacobson, Cornell Law professor and founder of the Equal Protection Project, condemned the university’s approach, warning that race-based eligibility undermines equal treatment. The group has filed over 100 similar legal challenges against DEI programs since 2023.
The University of Louisville has not yet responded to the allegations.
