Chicago – July 21, 2026
The Trump administration has opened a new Justice Department investigation into Harvard University’s financial aid programs for international students, focusing on whether scholarships funded by Chinese donors unlawfully exclude American students. Federal officials say the review will examine whether certain aid programs violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by giving preference based on national origin.
The Justice Department cited Harvard’s foreign funding disclosures, noting the university has received hundreds of millions of dollars from China-linked sources over the years. Investigators are seeking documents related to donor-funded scholarships and student aid practices. Harvard rejected allegations of discrimination, saying it complies with federal law and does not allocate financial aid based on race, ethnicity or national origin. The university said it is reviewing the government’s request and will cooperate with the inquiry. The investigation marks the latest escalation in the Trump administration’s broader scrutiny of Harvard over foreign funding, campus policies and international student programs.
