Professor Jacobson filed the complaint against UCLA on Friday. (Getty Images, Equal Protection Project)
The UCLA Latino Alumni Association scholarship states it was created for "incoming LatinX freshmen and transfer students," while a Pilipino Alumni Association award is for students "who indicate their membership in the Pilipinx community." The Undocumented Alumni Association Scholarship restricts eligibility to undocumented students, and the Raza Women’s Alumni Scholarship gives preference to "incoming Latina freshmen and transfer students."
That language stands in contrast to remarks by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who said earlier this year that "no one says Latinx." Despite the governor’s disavowal of the term, UCLA, part of the UC system he oversees, still uses "LatinX" as an official eligibility label in a taxpayer-funded scholarship.
Other programs cited include two scholarships for students of Armenian descent and a Deloitte Foundation award that supports "meritorious female students." The complaint argues that UCLA’s use of racial or sex-based criteria "violates federal law and the university’s own nondiscrimination policies."
The filing asks federal officials to investigate and, if necessary, suspend UCLA’s federal funding until the programs are changed.
UCLA’s scholarship portal contains a statement defending its process for "identity-conscious" awards.
ELITE CALIFORNIA COLLEGES FACE TITLE VI COMPLAINT OVER DEI-LINKED SCHOLARSHIPS
UCLA provides 13 identity-conscious scholarships that the Equal Protection Project claims violate both university and federal standards. (iStock)
"Creating educational opportunities based on race, color, national origin, or sex violates Titles VI and IX of the Civil Rights Act," he said. "It’s time for higher education to focus on the inherent worth of every student rather than categorizing them by identity groups."
The complaint, filed Nov. 7, 2025, asks the Education Department to open a formal investigation and enforce compliance with federal law.
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UCLA and Newsom's office have not yet responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Jasmine Baehr is a Breaking News Writer for Fox News Digital, where she covers politics, the military, faith and culture.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/first-fox-californias-top-public-university-under-fire-latinx-pilipinx-race-based-scholarship