Alexander Urges Continuation of Race-Specific Scholarships

Education Secretary Lamar Alexander, moving to quell a debate over scholarships reserved for minority members, urged colleges and universities Wednesday to continue providing race-specific financial aid while his department formulates new policy.

By advising schools to “plow right ahead” with existing scholarship programs, the newest Cabinet member all but abandoned last year’s controversial Education Department ruling that declared such race-based programs unlawful.

“This action is intended to send the strongest possible signal to disadvantaged Americans that a college education is the door to opportunity and that $18 million in federal student grants and federally guaranteed loans are available this year to help,” Alexander said at a press conference.

Alexander said the department will study the civil rights implications of minority scholarship programs over the next six months before proposing a comprehensive policy.

The announcement was hailed by civil rights advocates, whose strong opposition to last year’s legal opinion embarrassed the White House and forced Education Department officials to scale back its impact. In mid-December, the department announced that public colleges could continue to earmark private, but not public, funds for race-exclusive scholarships.