Northwestern University has reached a significant settlement with the Trump administration, agreeing to pay $75 million to restore federal funding that had been suspended during an investigation into allegations of discrimination at the school. The Justice Department announced this resolution on Friday, framing it as a victory in the administration’s broader efforts to safeguard the rights of Jewish students and promote merit-based policies in educational institutions.
Attorney General Pam Bondi expressed gratitude for Northwestern’s decision, emphasizing that universities accepting federal aid are required to adhere to civil rights laws. The settlement comes in the wake of accusations from the Education Department, which claimed that Northwestern and 59 other colleges failed to adequately protect Jewish students amidst contentious campus protests related to the Gaza conflict.
In April, the White House had withheld approximately $790 million in federal funds from Northwestern during the inquiry into these allegations. Interim President Henry Bienen clarified that the payment was not an admission of wrongdoing, noting that the cost of litigation was deemed excessively high and posed significant risks to the university.
The agreement stipulates that Northwestern will disburse the $75 million by 2028 and, in conjunction, implement comprehensive policies regarding protests, demonstrations, and educational practices. This includes mandatory antisemitism training for all students, faculty, and staff.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon heralded the deal as a “huge win” for higher education, highlighting that the reforms will enhance protections against harassment and discrimination while reaffirming the commitment to merit-based admissions and hiring practices.
Bienen reinforced that despite the settlement, the university would maintain its academic freedom and autonomy, ensuring that federal authorities would not dictate hiring practices, curriculum content, or student admissions. He expressed a commitment to “run Northwestern” without compromising its educational values.
This settlement is reminiscent of a similar agreement reached by Cornell University, which decided to pay $60 million to resolve similar allegations, further illustrating the ongoing tension between federal oversight and institutional autonomy in higher education.