As the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action takes effect, scholarships for students of color are vanishing, leaving applicants like Hamza Parker grappling with uncertainty. Last year, Parker’s advisor, Atnre Alleyne, recommended colleges that previously offered substantial scholarships for Black students, such as the College of Wooster. However, with these scholarships gone, Parker faced financial barriers to leaving Delaware for college.
Alleyne, who works with Black and Hispanic students at his nonprofit advisory organization, was taken aback as scholarships that students had relied on disappeared from college websites. “We were working with one student on the list of colleges and we said, okay, go to this particular college because we know they have a scholarship for African Americans,” Alleyne explained to Soledad O’Brien. “And then we go to that page and it’s, it’s gone, right?”
According to the Hechinger Report, numerous public-university scholarships once designated for underrepresented groups have vanished, totaling at least $60 million. States like Missouri, Kentucky, and Wisconsin have mandated that public colleges end race-based scholarship programs. The ruling has also impacted fellowships and mentoring opportunities.
Initial reports indicate a decline in Black student enrollment at several schools, though complete data is pending. Meanwhile, the anticipated Trump administration is expected to oppose race-based practices, further impacting higher education. Natasha Warikoo, a Tufts sociology professor, expressed concern over the rollback of measures that improve campus climate, including the decreasing numbers of underrepresented students.
Amherst College saw Black student enrollment drop from 11% to 3%, according to scholar Anthony Abraham Jack. These changes prompt questions about future campus diversity. Despite challenges, schools like Wesleyan University report increased Black student enrollment, ending legacy admissions to maintain diversity.
Kahlenberg, advocating for economic and class-based admissions considerations, argues that this approach could open elite colleges to more low-income students. He believes a future where talented, working-class students, including Black and Hispanic individuals, gain access to top universities is possible. However, Alleyne remains concerned about diminishing opportunities for students like Parker, who now commutes to the University of Delaware.
—
Read More Kitchen Table News
