Overview
- The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced a compliance review of Harvard on Monday after an audit of the university’s foreign‑gift disclosures raised concerns about nationality‑based restrictions on some scholarships.
- The department has asked Harvard to produce records about so‑called “Chinese Restricted Funds” and student‑level recipient data and set a July 31 deadline while stressing it has not reached any conclusions.
- DOJ officials pointed to Section 117 disclosures showing Harvard reported nearly $4.5 billion in foreign funding overall and more than $630 million from China as the basis for their review.
- Harvard says it follows federal reporting rules and does not unlawfully discriminate in awarding aid and is reviewing the Justice Department notice.
- The review tests a rare U.S. practice—Harvard’s need‑based aid for international students—and could lead to enforcement actions, including suspension of federal funding, as part of broader administration scrutiny of university foreign ties.