University of Oklahoma Students Sue School Over Alleged Racial Bias in Financial Aid
Three white undergraduate students at the University of Oklahoma have filed a class action lawsuit against the school, alleging that it violates their equal protection rights by awarding financial aid based on race.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court, claims that the university “places a high value on racial diversity,” particularly Black students, through various “race conscious” programs on campus that begin before enrollment and continue through graduation.
The plaintiffs argue that these programs, which include financial aid awards, violate the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race.
The lawsuit cites several examples of university programs and events that are allegedly exclusionary on the basis of race, including a three-day “Welcome Black Weekend” orientation for incoming students. The plaintiffs also allege that Black students receive more financial grants compared to other racial groups, even when controlling for factors such as family income.
The lawsuit comes after the Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that the use of race in admissions violated equal-protection rights, ending prior leniency toward such programs.
The University of Oklahoma has not yet commented on the lawsuit.
