A federal civil rights complaint accuses the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) of operating over a dozen scholarship programs that illegally exclude students based on their race, sex, or national origin. The complaint, filed by William A. Jacobson, a Cornell Law professor and founder of the Equal Protection Project, alleges a clear violation of federal civil rights law.
Specifically, the complaint details scholarships reserved for groups including “LatinX” freshmen, “Pilipinx” students, “undocumented undergraduates,” and applicants exclusively identified as female. These criteria, the filing asserts, directly contravene Title VI and Title IX, which prohibit discrimination within federally funded educational institutions.
The UCLA Latino Alumni Association scholarship explicitly targets “incoming LatinX freshmen and transfer students,” while a Pilipino Alumni Association award prioritizes those identifying with the “Pilipinx community.” Similarly, the Undocumented Alumni Association Scholarship is limited to undocumented students, and the Raza Women’s Alumni Scholarship favors “incoming Latina freshmen.”
This practice appears to clash with statements made by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who publicly stated earlier this year that the term “Latinx” is not used. Yet, UCLA, a part of the state’s university system under Newsom’s oversight, continues to utilize “LatinX” as an official qualification for taxpayer-funded scholarships.
The complaint also highlights scholarships designated for students of Armenian descent and a Deloitte Foundation award aimed at “meritorious female students.” Jacobson argues that UCLA’s reliance on these racial and gender-based criteria is a blatant breach of both federal law and the university’s own stated non-discrimination policies.
The filing requests a thorough federal investigation and, if violations are confirmed, a potential suspension of UCLA’s federal funding until the discriminatory programs are rectified. The goal is to compel the university to align its scholarship practices with legal requirements.
UCLA defends its “identity-conscious” awards, claiming full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and university regulations. The university states these awards may consider a student’s race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or national origin as part of the selection process.
However, Jacobson contends that UCLA’s approach still oversteps legal boundaries. He emphasizes that basing educational opportunities on characteristics like race or sex is a direct violation of Titles VI and IX of the Civil Rights Act, advocating for a system that recognizes the inherent value of every student, regardless of identity.
The complaint, officially submitted on November 7, 2025, urges the Department of Education to initiate a formal investigation and enforce adherence to federal law. The outcome of this complaint could significantly impact scholarship practices at UCLA and potentially set a precedent for other universities.
As of this report, neither UCLA nor Governor Newsom’s office has issued a public response to the allegations outlined in the complaint.
