The U.S. Department of Education’s office for civil rights is investigating a scholarship program in Florida over allegations that its method of deciding who gets tuition assistance is unfair for minority groups.
Bright Futures is a merit-based program that uses funds from the Florida lottery to pay college tuition for students to attend private or public two- and four-year colleges in the state. Recipients do not have to demonstrate financial need.
Critics claim too many of the scholarships go to students from white, affluent families who could afford college on their own and that the eligibility criteria hurt disadvantaged students, according to the Miami Herald.
