Last Updated on June 4, 2025 by Noel Kim
Is Harvard’s Financial Future in Flux?
In my last post, we talked about how Harvard’s new tuition policy could open doors for a lot more students, especially middle- and upper-middle-income families who once thought it was out of reach. But there’s another story unfolding right now. And it’s one that future Harvard applicants can’t afford to ignore — Harvard’s federal funding lawsuit. Because even as the world-renown university opens the financial door wider, it is facing new federal lawsuits, investigations, and political pressure that could change the college experience and the admissions process in ways we have not fully seen yet.
Whether you support Harvard’s assertion of free speech rights or align with the administration’s concerns over civil rights protections, the outcome of this conflict will have implications for students of all political perspectives.
If you are a future applicant dreaming of four years in Cambridge, or the parent of an aspiring Crimson, here’s what you need to know about the real risks on the horizon — and why staying flexible matters more than ever.
1. Why Is Harvard’s Federal Funding at Risk?
In late March 2025, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it was withholding or delaying certain federal research grant renewals for Harvard while it investigates how the university has handled reports of antisemitism on campus.
In early May 2025, Harvard’s federal funding freeze escalated even further. According to The Wall Street Journal, former President Donald Trump, who is actively campaigning for reelection, moved to revoke an additional $450 million in federal research funding earmarked for Harvard. This sharp increase in withheld funds sends a clear message: the administration is doubling down on using financial levers to influence campus policy. If the freeze continues or expands, the long-term implications for Harvard’s research output and budget allocations could be profound.
At the same time, a new civil rights lawsuit filed by the Department accuses Harvard of violating Title VI by allowing a hostile environment based on religion and ethnicity.
In plain English, Harvard’s leadership is under intense scrutiny for allegedly failing to protect Jewish students. As a result, an estimated $2.65 billion in federal research support is now at stake. The Trump administration initially froze over $2.2 billion and has since pulled an additional $450 million from Harvard’s research pipeline, making this one of the largest federal funding showdowns in modern higher education history. Trump administration officials have further warned that Harvard should not expect any new research grants unless it complies with a growing list of federal demands.
Importantly, student financial aid programs like Pell Grants and federal loans are not currently affected (as of late April 2025).
But that’s not to say that these freezes don’t affect the university at large, funding strategies, future tuition implications, and aspiring students like you.
Harvard has pushed back against these freezes, forcefully. In its response, the university filed a lawsuit against the federal government, Harvard’s attorneys argue that the administration’s actions “threaten the independence of American higher education itself.”
On May 13, Harvard amended its lawsuit to reflect these increased financial penalties and named additional federal agencies now involved in the funding terminations. According to The Harvard Crimson, the revised complaint accuses the federal government of exceeding its constitutional authority, infringing on academic freedom, and retaliating against the university for speech protected under the First Amendment.
Honestly, when I first read about this lawsuit, my heart sank a little. It is hard to see one of the world’s most respected institutions caught in a political and legal firestorm. And yet, it feels like a reminder that even giants are not untouchable.
Again, my role here at InGenius is not to take sides. Whether you are for or against these freezes, InGenius Prep is here to advise you as to its implications for your student and their college dreams, regardless of the result.
A Complicated Decade for Harvard
This new legal fight also comes just two years after Harvard was at the center of another landmark case: Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. That decision reshaped how colleges pursue diversity without considering race directly. Now, with a new civil rights lawsuit focused on religion and ethnicity, Harvard faces a complicated balancing act. How the university responds could shape not just its own future, but the broader national conversation about diversity, free speech, and inclusion on campus.
2. How Could Harvard’s Federal Funding Lawsuit Affect Admissions?
Here’s the thing. When funding freezes, students often feel the chill first, whether they see it coming or not. Think of this blog as your family’s advance notice.
At first glance, you might think this battle is happening far away from application essays and test scores. But in reality, financial instability — especially as over $2.65 billion in funding is stripped — trickles down fast.
Here’s what we are watching closely:
| Potential Impact | Why It Matters |
| Financial Aid | Harvard has a $50+ billion endowment, but it still relies on federal research grants to help fund need-based aid programs and campus initiatives. Cuts could eventually squeeze financial resources, especially for middle-income and international students. Harvard has historically been generous with its financial aid for both domestic and international applicants, even more generous than other Ivies. We will continue to watch these policies as events continue to unfold. |
| Academic Experience | Harvard’s prestige is closely tied to its massive research engine, most of it federally funded. Budget freezes could impact research jobs, fellowships, and/or program expansions. Other universities that yield to President Trump’s mandates will have access to funds that Harvard, potentially, will lose out on, potentially giving an edge to other universities in their research. |
| Reputation Shifts | Students and families, especially Jewish applicants, may feel differently about applying to Harvard. While some may laud the president’s actions, others may not want to apply due to concerns about inclusion and safety on campus. Still others may worry about instability and ongoing controversy, and want to apply somewhere under less scrutiny. |
| Global Community | Harvard’s aid policies for international students could tighten if funding gets strained. That could make the campus less globally diverse over time. (Wall Street Journal) The Department of Homeland Security has also threatened to revoke Harvard’s authorization to host international students unless it complies with new surveillance-related demands — a move that could deeply reshape the university’s global identity. |
Short-term, admissions for the Class of 2029 probably will not shift dramatically. But long-term, students and families should watch carefully.
As one columnist in The New York Times put it, “The political weaponization of higher education funding could create ripple effects far beyond the Ivy League.”
Harvard’s struggles are a reminder that even the oldest, richest schools are not immune to political, legal, and social pressures. In today’s admissions world, resilience matters as much as rankings.
3. What About Harvard’s Endowment and Donor Support?
Harvard stands as the wealthiest university in the United States, boasting an endowment exceeding $50 billion.
At first glance, that kind of financial cushion sounds like a permanent safety net.
And in some ways, it is. Harvard has options that smaller schools could only dream about. It can borrow against the endowment, restructure internal budgets, tap into restricted funds, and ride out political storms longer than almost any competitor.
Despite some early speculation about donor erosion, the opposite appears to be happening.
In the 24 hours after Harvard’s president publicly rejected the Trump administration’s demands, the university received more than 3,800 online donations totaling over $1 million (Harvard Crimson).
Major benefactors are also renewing their support. Peter L. Malkin, a longtime donor, increased his giving, expressing confidence in Harvard’s leadership and mission (Wall Street Journal).
However, ongoing threats to Harvard’s tax-exempt status, floated publicly by administration officials in early May, could further complicate donor confidence if such measures are pursued.
As a certified nonprofit fundraising executive (CFRE), it surprised me, in a good way, to see so many donors rally behind Harvard so quickly. While it is a common occurrence for donors to support their values with their wallets, I have not yet found data to unpack whether Harvard’s overall donations have experienced a dip, even if the media is covering a recent uptick in support. It also makes me wonder whether people are craving stability and tradition more than ever in a time of so much upheaval.
SIDEBAR
Wait — What Exactly Is an Endowment?
An endowment is not a giant checking account. It’s more like a permanent investment fund made up of thousands of smaller funds, many of which are legally restricted for specific purposes (like scholarships, research, or faculty chairs).
At Harvard, the $50 billion+ endowment is managed much like a diversified investment portfolio, with the goal of growing over time while providing a steady, reliable payout for annual operations.
Each year, Harvard typically withdraws about 4.5%–5.0% of the endowment’s value to fund its budget.
In fiscal year 2024 (before the current funding freeze), Harvard reported that its endowment earned an investment return of 4.8% — generating roughly $2.5 billion in income — and distributed about $2 billion to support operations.
(Source: Harvard Gazette)
Crucially, most of Harvard’s endowment funds are restricted, meaning the university cannot simply liquidate investments or redirect money freely without violating donor agreements or risking tax penalties.
Harvard’s endowment gives it incredible long-term stability — but it’s not an ATM. In times of financial stress, the university must balance protecting future generations’ resources with covering today’s needs.
4. Could Harvard’s Federal Funding Lawsuit Change Harvard’s Campus Policies?
This isn’t just about money. It’s about the soul of the campus itself.
If Harvard loses its case or negotiates a settlement, the university could be required to:
- Overhaul admissions and hiring practices to reflect “ideological balance,” according to federal guidance.
- Dismantle or restrict student groups involved in political organizing, especially those perceived as anti-Israel or anti-American.
- Provide detailed records of foreign students, including academic and extracurricular activity logs.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the Department of Education has warned that colleges failing to protect students’ civil rights could face “long-term structural reforms” beyond just fines or funding freezes.
Critics — including legal scholars and civil rights organizations — argue that these demands represent a sweeping federal overreach that may be unconstitutional, chilling free expression on campus and eroding institutional autonomy.
Even if Harvard successfully defends itself, the cultural polarization may leave lasting marks.
5. What Are Other Universities Saying?
Harvard is no longer standing alone in its legal challenge against the Trump administration’s federal funding freezes. In early May 2025, Harvard expanded its lawsuit to include additional federal agencies. The university contends that these actions violate its First Amendment rights and federal procedures.
Other institutions have begun to take legal action as well. Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), along with ten other academic institutions, have filed a lawsuit against the National Science Foundation (NSF) over a new policy capping indirect cost reimbursements at 15% for all newly issued grants. They argue that this significant funding restriction could hinder scientific innovation and compromise the financial stability of research programs across U.S. universities.
Beyond legal avenues, universities are forming alliances to collectively resist these measures. Faculty members at over 30 institutions have passed resolutions for a “mutual defense compact” to support each other against political pressures from both federal and state governments. Additionally, hundreds of college presidents and officials have signed a letter protesting the “unprecedented government overreach and political interference” that higher education is facing under the Trump administration.
These collaborative efforts signify a growing movement within the academic community to uphold academic freedom and institutional autonomy in the face of increasing political challenges.
As the American Council on Education stated: “Using federal funding as leverage to shape speech on campus sets a dangerous precedent that undermines both academic freedom and civil rights enforcement.”
Former President Barack Obama also weighed in, writing: “Our universities must remain places where even uncomfortable conversations are protected, not punished.”
Observers note that Harvard’s case could set a precedent for how colleges defend their missions in an increasingly politicized climate.
6. Looking Ahead: What Could Happen Next?
As much as we wish we could predict exactly where this all ends, the truth is that Harvard’s legal fight is just beginning.
The outcome of Harvard’s federal funding lawsuit will shape not just one university’s future, but how higher education navigates free speech, federal funding, and campus climate questions for years to come.
| Timeframe | What to Watch |
| Spring–Summer 2025 | Ongoing legal filings, initial court hearings Sharp increase in federal funding cuts — now totaling over $450M pulled from Harvard research allocations.Escalating federal demands, including threats to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status and limit international student visas. |
| Fall 2025 | Possible preliminary rulings |
| Late 2025–Early 2026 | Major district court decision |
| 2026–2027 | Appeals, possible Supreme Court involvement |
Predicting the Path Forward
If we apply basic game theory — the study of strategic decision-making — Harvard and the federal government are locked in a classic iterated game where each move shapes future incentives.
Neither side wants an immediate total loss, but both are signaling they are willing to risk short-term pain to strengthen their long-term position.
Possible Harvard strategies:
- Continue fighting publicly to rally donor support and defend academic freedom.
- Quietly negotiate partial concessions behind the scenes to protect research funding.
- Delay proceedings long enough to benefit from any political turnover post-election.
Possible federal strategies:
- Maintain funding freezes to increase pressure.
- Expand investigations to other elite universities, shifting public focus away from Harvard alone.
- Settle quietly with Harvard but demand stronger compliance reviews moving forward.
- Threaten or initiate IRS review of Harvard’s nonprofit status to increase financial leverage.
- Use visa authority to pressure Harvard’s international programs, especially for graduate research and visiting scholars.
What history suggests:
In similar past conflicts (such as federal investigations of universities during the civil rights and Vietnam eras), prolonged standoffs typically end in partial settlements where:
- Universities preserve most of their autonomy.
- Federal oversight mechanisms strengthen subtly over time.
Given Harvard’s immense legal and financial resources — and the early signs of strong alumni and donor backing — the most likely short-term outcome is a negotiated resolution within 12–24 months, rather than a full funding collapse or total government victory.
However, lasting damage to Harvard’s public reputation and applicant diversity could still unfold depending on how the university manages the cultural and legal narratives during the fight.
Families should expect Harvard to weather the financial storm. But the real shifts — in campus climate, federal oversight, and public trust — may take longer to reveal themselves.
And because Harvard’s influence extends far beyond its own campus, ripple effects across the broader higher education system are likely to emerge over time.
Even if the full picture is still coming into focus, one thing is clear: Students and families should build college lists that prioritize fit, financial flexibility, and long-term resilience — not just brand name prestige.
It’s easy to fall in love with a dream school. But in an era when even Harvard faces serious headwinds, it’s smarter — and safer — to think beyond the headline names.
Want to talk through what all of this means for your college search? Book a free strategy call here. Let’s build a plan that fits your goals and prepares you for whatever comes next.
