UAB Cancels Endowed Scholarship for Black Medical Students

News Summary

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has canceled the Herschell Lee Hamilton, M.D., Endowed Scholarship due to a federal investigation into race-based scholarships. Established in 2013 to support Black medical students, the decision raises concerns about the future of minority-focused financial aid in medical education and its implications for healthcare access in Alabama. Critics argue this move may undermine diversity in the healthcare workforce, especially in rural areas already facing challenges.

Birmingham

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has officially canceled the Herschell Lee Hamilton, M.D., Endowed Scholarship in Medicine, which provided financial support for Black medical students, following a federal investigation into race-based scholarships. This decision was announced on April 11, 2025, by UAB’s Office of Advancement and Strategic Initiatives, which stated that it would cease awarding the scholarship and return the funds.

The Herschell Lee Hamilton Scholarship, established in 2013, specifically aimed to assist Black medical students who maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrated financial need. The cancellation comes as part of an investigation initiated by the Trump administration in February 2025, which accused the scholarship program and similar initiatives of being discriminatory and promoting “race-based segregation.”

A letter from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) informed UAB and five other colleges about the ongoing inquiry regarding alleged impermissible practices under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The OCR highlighted the importance of universities adhering to non-discrimination policies, emphasizing that student assessment should rely on academic merit rather than race.

The implications of the cancellation extend beyond just UAB. The OCR’s investigation poses potential consequences for colleges found in violation of Title VI, which could include corrective measures and the possibility of losing federal funding. Critics of UAB’s decision have expressed concerns that this move represents a capitulation to federal scrutiny rather than a genuine commitment to support Black medical students.

The Herschell Lee Hamilton Scholarship was named after Dr. Herschell Lanier Hamilton, who made history as the first Black general surgeon certified by the American Medical Association in Birmingham. He was a significant figure in both medical and civil rights history until his passing in 2003. The scholarship began with funds from the Hamilton family and other donors, with UAB responsible for selecting scholarship recipients each year.

The cancellation has sparked reactions from various stakeholders, including Herschell Lanier Hamilton’s son, who expressed disappointment over UAB’s decision, citing a perceived loss of integrity and moral standing. Critics argue that the decision could lead to broader negative consequences for healthcare access in Alabama, particularly in rural areas where diversity in the healthcare workforce is crucial for meeting community needs.

This development is part of a larger trend where educational institutions are reevaluating or dismantling programs aimed at supporting minority students, influenced by increasing federal regulatory scrutiny. Without targeted financial support systems, advocates maintain that the healthcare workforce may struggle to reflect the diversity inherent in the communities it serves, further exacerbating existing healthcare disparities.

In the wake of this scholarship cancellation, there are growing apprehensions about the future of minority-focused financial aid in medical education, and how such actions may affect healthcare access and quality in areas already faced with challenges. This case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding race, merit, and educational opportunity as institutions navigate the fine line between compliance with federal laws and their commitments to diversity and inclusion.