The Department of Justice launched an investigation on Monday into the College of William & Mary to determine whether certain scholarships and student benefits at the Virginia-based public research institution include unlawful race-based criteria, adding to the Trump administration's targeting of educational institutions across the country.The DOJ's Civil Rights Division announced it was opening a compliance review for the college's potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance."Awarding scholarships or offering coveted opportunities to students based on the color of their skin is illegal and offends the guarantees of our color-blind Constitution," Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said in a statement."We will find out if scholarships or other student benefits at William & Mary favor applicants of certain races.The Department will not turn a blind eye to race-based preferences, however they are packaged or portrayed by universities," she continued.DOJ OPENS PROBE INTO HARVARD'S FINANCIAL AID FOR ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AMERICAN STUDENTSThe Department of Justice launched an investigation into the College of William & Mary to determine whether certain scholarships and student benefits include unlawful race-based criteria.
(Julia Rendleman for The Washington Post via Getty Images)The "W&M Scholars" program for first-year undergraduate students includes a scholarship that covers at least the full cost of in-state tuition and fees.While the scholarship is not limited to any particular race, the DOJ said in a notice letter to the institution that applicants with an "interest in diverse people and perspectives" receive "top consideration." William & Mary's website lists that consideration alongside academic ability and potential and first-generation or limited...