Back in June, the Supreme Court ruled that college admissions based on race were unconstitutional. But for liberals, the Constitution has always been more of an obstacle than a guidepost and, therefore, just something to be gotten around or ignored. Enter tech mega-corp Microsoft. Apparently, the folks at Microsoft did not get the memo about the Supreme Court ruling or, in the spirit of being true social justice warriors, decided to charge ahead. Whatever the case, at Microsoft, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is alive and well in the form of race and gender-based scholarships.

Women at Microsoft Scholarship is now open! #microsoft #scholarshipshttps://t.co/zjlBZIFCCF

— Valorie Hampton (@Valorie_jpg) January 25, 2023

Microsoft is offering several different scholarship programs to students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math-related fields. Kudos to the company for offering scholarships to students for something that is sorely needed in the U.S.: those who can usher in the next generation of experts in these areas. But these scholarships specifically are being offered to students who are black, Hispanic, or who identify as women. The scholarships vary in monetary amounts, a point that should not be lost on those who are applying for them. The scholarships are in increments of $5,000 and can be used one time or spread out over four years. 

So, how does this all shake out? Broken down, the "Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships" offer five scholarships at $20,000 and broken up over four years, and 45 one-time offerings of $2,500. Applicants are required to have a 3.0 GPA and a letter of recommendation. For Hispanic and "Latinx" students, there is the questionably named "HOLA" scholarship. These students don't seem to fare as well as their black counterparts. There are two of these scholarships worth $20,000 and run over four years or three one-time offerings of $5,000. There is no dollar amount listed for the "Women of Microsoft" scholarship. To qualify for that scholarship, one must actually be a woman or nonbinary. Gender-fluid and "women of transgender experience" can also apply.  

Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship
Deadline to Apply: Mar. 13, 2024
Award Amount:
• five (5) $20,000 scholarships distributed over 4 years ($5,000 per year, renewable)

• forty-five (45) $2,500 one-time only scholarshipshttps://t.co/gz1s398LrS

— Demetra Durham (@Ddurham07) December 19, 2023

GianCarlo Canaparo is a legal fellow at the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at The Heritage Foundation. He called out Microsoft's blatantly  discriminatory program, saying:

“These programs are unlawful under just about every state’s anti-discrimination laws. And although it’s not clear whether this is a part of an employment program or whether Microsoft receives federal funding, such that it can be challenged under the Civil Rights Act, it’s solid evidence of intent to discriminate on the basis of race or sex."

In June, the Supreme Court ruled that race-based admissions practices in some of the nation's most prestigious colleges and universities were unconstitutional. The Court concluded that race-based admissions violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. However, after the ruling came down, Harvard officials stated they would essentially work around what they called a "loophole," a sentence in the decision that came from Chief Justice John Roberts, who stated that,

"nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicant's discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise."

That one sentence may have given Microsoft — and possibly other companies who are committed to the DEI agenda — the same workaround avenue. Johnathan Butcher is also a Heritage Foundation fellow at the Foundation's Center for Education Policy. He also had some words for Microsoft's discriminatory scholarship practices and even mentioned the novel idea of rewarding merit and hard work, and not the ability to check off the appropriate DEI boxes, saying:

“At this point in our national conversation we should be finding ways to reward effort and merit instead of promoting identity politics. We want well qualified scholars and employees and doctors, not a workforce designed by a DEI coordinator who only looks at appearances,”

If a giant like Microsoft is still dabbling in race-based practices, chances are there are others as well who still think that discrimination somehow promotes diversity.  

NEW: @Microsoft has a scholarship specifically for high school seniors "of Hispanic and Latinx descent" called the "HOLA at Microsoft scholarship" pic.twitter.com/siJ98YHZLr

— Brandon P (@Brandopinione) December 19, 2023