FSU Investigation has begun after the U.S. Department of Education opened a federal civil rights review. The investigation examines 32 Florida State University scholarships that allegedly use race or sex preferences. Federal officials will determine whether the programs violate protections under Title VI and Title IX.
The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights opened the investigation after receiving a complaint in July 2025. The complaint came from the Equal Protection Project, which challenged scholarship programs at the university. According to federal officials, FSU receives federal financial assistance and must follow applicable civil rights laws.
The complaint divides the 32 scholarships into several categories involving alleged discriminatory preferences. Fourteen programs allegedly involve race, color, or national origin considerations. Meanwhile, 13 scholarships allegedly involve sex-based preferences, while five involve both categories.
William Jacobson, who leads the Equal Protection Project, said FSU stood out among universities his organization has challenged. He said his group has raised concerns about scholarship programs at hundreds of colleges nationwide. According to Jacobson, relatively few institutions faced allegations involving such a large number of scholarships.
However, Florida State University disputes the characterization presented in the complaint. The university says every student can apply for and receive the scholarships under investigation. Officials also emphasized that private donors funded the programs rather than university operating funds.
FSU explained that donors sometimes express preferences when establishing scholarship funds. However, the university maintains those preferences do not create formal eligibility requirements. The school also says applicants receive equal consideration based on merit during scholarship decisions.
That distinction now represents an important issue in the federal investigation. The Equal Protection Project argues that universities cannot avoid civil rights obligations simply because donors establish scholarship preferences. Jacobson maintains that FSU remains responsible because the university promotes and awards the scholarships.
One scholarship mentioned in the complaint involves the Crockett Family Fund for Excellence. The scholarship allows students to apply but reportedly identifies a donor preference for Black or African American recipients. The complaint argues that such language raises concerns under federal civil rights protections.
Other scholarships reportedly contain similar preferences involving race, ethnicity, sex, or combinations of those characteristics. One program expresses a preference for female recipients from several racial or ethnic backgrounds. Another scholarship reportedly identifies a preference involving an African American male recipient.
The complaint also identifies programs focused primarily on women. For example, one scholarship program reportedly expresses a preference for female recipients. Nevertheless, FSU maintains that students remain eligible to apply regardless of those donor preferences.
Meanwhile, federal officials have stressed that the investigation does not establish wrongdoing. The Office for Civil Rights specifically stated that opening the investigation does not represent a conclusion about the allegations. Instead, investigators will gather information from FSU, the complainant, and other relevant sources.
The agency plans to review evidence before determining whether federal law applies to the challenged programs. Consequently, the investigation could eventually produce findings supporting either side of the dispute. For now, federal officials have not determined that FSU violated Title VI or Title IX.
The complaint also raises questions under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Additionally, the organization argues that some programs could conflict with Florida law and FSU’s nondiscrimination policies. Those claims remain allegations while federal officials conduct their review.
Jacobson said his organization does not seek to eliminate scholarship funding. Instead, he said the group wants universities to remove allegedly discriminatory conditions. The organization argues that students should retain access to available financial assistance under equal standards.
The dispute arrives amid broader national debates over race-conscious programs at American universities. Federal officials have increased scrutiny of educational institutions accused of using race or sex improperly. Consequently, the FSU case could attract attention beyond the university and Florida.
Florida officials could also review the challenged scholarship programs independently. The Equal Protection Project has urged state authorities to examine the programs and determine whether they comply with Florida requirements. However, state officials had not immediately announced any separate findings.
For now, the FSU Investigation remains at a preliminary stage. Federal investigators must review the university’s policies, scholarship language, application procedures, and selection practices. The eventual findings could determine whether FSU needs to change any of its scholarship programs.
The university continues to maintain that all students receive equal opportunities to apply. Meanwhile, the complainant argues that donor preferences can still create unlawful discrimination. The federal review will ultimately assess those competing claims based on evidence.
The FSU Investigation therefore focuses on whether scholarship preferences represent unlawful discrimination or permissible donor preferences. Until investigators complete their review, no federal finding has established that Florida State violated civil rights law.
