Colleges Champion Low-Income Enrollment Amid Affirmative Action Shifts

Amid the absence of affirmative action, prestigious colleges in America focus on enrolling more low-income students. Universities like Princeton and MIT lead efforts, offering free tuition for families under certain income thresholds. This move faces potential legal scrutiny from the Trump administration over alleged 'racial proxies' in admission policies.

In the wake of the Supreme Court's ban on affirmative action, America's prestigious colleges are prioritizing economic diversity by enrolling record numbers of low-income students. Leading institutions like Princeton and MIT are at the forefront of this shift, offering free tuition to students from low-income backgrounds.

This strategy aligns with broader goals to enhance socioeconomic diversity, although it could provoke tension with federal authorities. The Trump administration has indicated that targeting needier students could violate the recent Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action by acting as a 'racial proxy.'

Despite potential legal challenges, colleges are committed to increasing access to higher education for underprivileged students. The rise in Pell-eligible students indicates a dedication to economic diversity, even as some institutions grapple with maintaining racial diversity within their student bodies.

(With inputs from agencies.)