Universities across the United States are doing away with scholarships based on race or ethnicity after the Supreme Court ruled that colleges will no longer consider an applicants’ race as a factor in admissions. About 50 colleges and universities have stopped race-conscious scholarships worth millions of dollars.

Some lawmakers and conservative activists believe race-conscious scholarships and grants are prejudice to White students. However, higher-education experts say doing away with race-merit scholarships would have a negative impact on diversity.

C.J. Powell, director of advocacy for the National Association for College Admission Counseling, says the impact of the court’s decision is multifold. He highlighted that there are going to be fewer avenues for students of color to reliably afford higher education.

Universities and colleges are also rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. Christian Basi, director of public affairs for the Missouri system, said they value all their donors and their contributions relieve students and families of financials stress. He added that they want to engage with donors and continue conversations, but comply with the state and federal law too.

Basi said the University of Missouri made a speedy announcement as students and parents would seek clarification following the court’s ruling. The institute wanted its students to know that their financial aid wouldn’t change quickly.

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Limiting a Particular Race From Progressing

Universities are restricting the use of ‘race’ in many programmes and scholarships, and admissions. Texas is one of the many states to have halted race-based scholarships, impacting minority communities. Ameshia Cross, a political analyst, believes the Supreme Court’s decision targets Black women. She said Black women are the most degreed population in the US and they are also the largest portion of small business owners.

Cross believes anti-DEIi militants are attacking the cornerstone of Black progress and want to eliminate the growth of Black leaders in the workforce. She said attacks on scholarships are driven by racism and creates obstacles for Black people to enter college. This in turn will limit Black people from having prosperous careers as doctors, lawyers, teachers, and other professionals.