Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) and its Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC) are facing allegations of racial discrimination in scholarship programs, according to a federal civil rights complaint filed by the Equal Protection Project (EPP) on June 18, 2026. The complaint was submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, claiming that five scholarship programs violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act by discriminating based on race, color, and national origin.
The EPP argues that because TJU receives federal funding, it is subject to federal civil rights laws. The scholarships in question include the Jackson-Minton Scholarship, Dominique "Rem'mie" Fells Scholarship, Visiting Medical Student Diversity Scholarship, Otolaryngology Research Fellowship Scholarship, and the Visiting Medical Student Scholarship for Inclusive Excellence. The complaint asserts that these scholarships unlawfully prioritize certain racial and ethnic groups, undermining the principles of equal access to medical education.
The Jackson-Minton Scholarship is aimed at Black male students, while the Fells Scholarship is designed for transgender or gender nonconforming BIPOC students. Although some scholarships are advertised as open to all qualified applicants, the EPP contends that the eligibility criteria signal exclusivity to students not identified within those groups. The EPP is requesting an investigation into TJU and SKMC and seeks remedial measures, including potential fines and termination of federal financial assistance.
William A. Jacobson, President and Founder of the Equal Protection Project, emphasized the seriousness of discrimination in institutions training health professionals, stating that such practices violate civil rights laws. In response, Thomas Jefferson University stated that it has not received any notice of a complaint or pending investigation.