As universities react to White House pressure to end some diversity initiatives, several scholarships that support minority students at Alabama’s public universities remain intact as at least one has been quietly terminated.

Alabama universities appear to be handling scholarships on a case by case basis.

“We have reviewed our scholarships for compliance with federal law,” said Lynn Cole, vice chancellor for system communications for the University of Alabama System. “And we are continuing to work with donors on any necessary adjustments.”

What that means, though, isn’t exactly clear. AL.com reviewed available information for scholarships at the state’s public universities.

AL.com reported in April that UAB has ended a scholarship for Black medical students, The Herschell Lee Hamilton endowed scholarship, and is returning money to donors.

The University of Alabama declined to comment to AL.com about whether it will continue to offer a separate scholarship for Black students after it was sued by a nonprofit opposed to affirmative action.

Yet several scholarships at Alabama universities for minority students remain in place, as of now. A scholarship that funds minority students who pursue PhDs across multiple Alabama universities, called the State Doctoral Scholars Program, supported by the Southern Regional Educational Board, is continuing, Cole confirmed.

“The goal of the Doctoral Scholars Program is to increase the number of students who earn doctorates and choose to become faculty at colleges and universities,” the board states on its website.

The program supported eight minority PhD students studying at UAB, Auburn University and the University of South Alabama during the 2023-24 school year, according to the most recently available data.

At UAB, a scholarship to support minority public health students, The William Randolph Hearst Foundation 1st Generation Scholars Fund, remains listed on the website.

“Recipients must be from under-represented, low-income, minority populations with a demonstrated financial need and a commitment to pursue a future career in public health,” the UAB website states.

The William Randolph Hearst Foundation did not respond to a request for comment about the future of the scholarship.

UAB and UA have not yet responded to a records request about scholarships. The University of South Alabama and Auburn University said they have no records of scholarships being cancelled due to a focus on race.

Diversity initiatives at American universities came under fire after President Donald Trump’s administration send a letter to universities on Feb. 14 that demanded an end to “discrimination” in higher education on the basis of race or ethnicity.

Some universities in states like Maine and Maryland have sued the administration to protect their programs.

Dr. Hamilton, the namesake of the discontinued UAB scholarship, was Birmingham’s first Black general surgeon certified by the American Medical Association. He treated marchers during the civil rights movement, including men, women and children during the 1963 Children’s Crusade and during the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march.

Sharon Hamiliton Broach, Dr. Hamilton’s daughter, called UAB’s decision to return money to donors and end the scholarship, “disappointing”.

“What we know is that … physicians that look like the communities are able to help those communities better. That’s just a fact,” she said. “And it’s more likely that those that look like the community will go there and serve the community.”