Justice Department Opens Financial Aid Probe Into Harvard

CAMBRIDGE — The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into Harvard University's financial aid programs over allegations of discrimination, multiple national outlets reported this week, while a longtime Harvard Square breakfast institution served its final plates after two decades in business.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

"US DOJ says it is probing Harvard over financial aid programs," Reuters reported. The wire service said federal officials are examining whether the Cambridge-based Ivy League school's aid policies amount to discrimination; Harvard has previously said it does not allow discriminatory practices, per Reuters (read it at https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-doj-says-it-is-probing-harvard-over-financial-aid-programs-2026-07-20/).

"DOJ Probes Harvard Financial Aid With Focus on China," according to Bloomberg.com. The outlet reported the inquiry into Harvard's Cambridge campus includes scrutiny of financial ties connected to China, adding a new dimension to the federal review (read it at https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-20/doj-probes-harvard-financial-aid-with-focus-on-china).

"Cambridge Breakfast Spot Closing After 20 Years," per Cambridge Patch. The outlet reported that a national chain restaurant that has served Harvard Square for about two decades has shut its doors for good, ending a fixture of the neighborhood's dining scene, per Patch reporter Jessie Castellano (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/cambridge/cambridge-breakfast-spot-closing-after-20-years).

COMING UP

Cambridge's community calendar fills out over the next week, per the Cambridge Patch events listings. "Tai Chi Under the Tree," sponsored by Cambridge Plays, is set for July 22. The MIT Summer Philharmonic Orchestra performs July 24. A Reiki Level I certification session is scheduled for July 25, and a "Smart Moves: The Basics of Real Estate Investing" seminar is planned for July 28.