On Wednesday, Columbia University announced that it has settled on a deal with the Trump administration following several months of dialogue to restore federal funding to the school, a move described by the Trump administration as a significant shift in its ongoing dispute with top higher education institutions. Under the terms of the agreement, it resolved many federal investigations into allegations that it had violated anti-discrimination laws.
On the other hand, the Columbia University administration didn’t accept any wrongdoing but agreed to pay the government a $200 million settlement over three years and an additional $21 million to resolve the investigation conducted by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In its official statement, Columbia University said that most of the federal grants that were passed or canceled in March 2025 will now be reinstated. It also noted that its eligibility for billions of dollars in current and future federal funding will be restored.
A White House official highlighted the $21 million settlement with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, calling it the largest public settlement for employment discrimination in nearly two decades. According to the official, the settlement addresses alleged civil rights violations against Jewish employees at Columbia after the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.
Columbia stated that the deal includes policy changes first announced in March after the federal government revoked $400 million in funding due to campus protests. These changes include new restrictions on demonstrations, updated disciplinary procedures, and an immediate review of the university’s Middle East curriculum.
Columbia University Didn’t Commit Any Wrongdoing
Although Columbia didn’t commit any wrongdoing in the agreement, university leaders acknowledged that Jewish students and faculty had faced serious and unacceptable incidents. The university emphasized that meaningful reform has already occurred and will continue to progress in the future. An independent monitor will be assigned to ensure the terms of the agreement are appropriately carried out.
Acting University President Claire Shipman stated that the settlement was thoughtfully designed to protect the university’s core values. She added that the agreement allows Columbia to restore its important research partnership with the federal government. Shipman emphasized that the deal also protects the university’s independence, which she described as essential for academic excellence and meaningful scholarship. She noted that this work is vital to serving the public interest.
According to a senior White House official, this access will help the administration ensure that Columbia University follows through on its pledge to maintain merit-based hiring and the administration’s practices.
The official also stated that the agreement necessitates a comprehensive review of the university’s academic programs, starting with those focused on the Middle East. Additionally, Columbia will reexamine its admissions process and enhance oversight of international students. As part of the agreement, the university will evaluate each applicant’s reason for studying in the US and share relevant data with the federal government.
US President Donald Trump praised the agreement in a post on Truth Social Wednesday evening. He thanked the Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, for her efforts and praised Columbia for agreeing to make necessary changes. Trump also warned that other top universities could face similar scrutiny for misusing federal funds and failing to uphold fair treatment.
Roadmap for Top Universities
The Trump administration viewed the Columbia deal as a model for other elite universities. Secretary McMahon called the outcome a major turning point in the government’s effort to hold institutions accountable for antisemitic behavior. She said the reforms at Columbia create a roadmap for top schools seeking to rebuild public trust through truth-seeking, merit-based practices, and respectful debate.
McMahon expressed her belief that these changes will influence campus culture nationwide for years to come. Elite universities such as Columbia and Harvard have faced growing pressure from the Trump administration to address anti-Semitism on campus. Those who fail to act risk losing access to significant federal funding.
