McDonald’s said Friday it is changing a scholarship program for Latino students after it was sued by a group that opposes affirmative action
ByDEE-ANN DURBIN AP business writer
January 31, 2025, 6: 57 PM
McDonald’s said Friday it is changing — but not eliminating — a scholarship program for Latino students after it was sued by a group that opposes affirmative action.
McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship Program, which was founded in 1985, awards college scholarships to students with at least one Latino parent. The program has awarded more than $33 million in scholarships to more than 17,000 students.
On Jan. 12, the American Alliance for Equal Rights sued McDonald’s over the HACER program. The alliance, which challenges programs that use race or ethnicity as a factor in their decisions, is run by Edward Blum, the conservative activist who also successfully challenged affirmative action programs in college admissions.
On Friday, McDonald’s said it reached a settlement with the American Alliance for Equal Rights that will allow it to consider this year’s applicants. The Chicago company said more than 3,000 students have already applied for this year’s scholarships.
McDonald’s said the program will now be open to any student who can demonstrate an impact on or commitment to