Discrimination? Prestigious university offering scholarship to LGBT students only

Duke University is now offering an annual scholarship to students who receive need-based aid and also identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

Say what?

The Carolinas LGBT Scholarship Fund will be awarded each year to an LGBT student who resides in North or South Carolina based on financial need and the student's involvement in the LGBT community, according to the university's website.

"The Carolinas Gay & Lesbian Scholarship at Duke University was endowed to encourage and reward involvement in the LGBT community," the scholarship's FAQ page reads. "The scholarship helps fund the education of a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender undergraduate student from North or South Carolina attending Duke University. It was created to foster a more affirming atmosphere and encourage leadership among, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members of the Duke community."

Easing the fears of those individuals who have not yet "come out" to their friends and family, the scholarship is partially confidential, and no reference to the LGBT community is made on any of the acceptance forms in order to protect those individuals.

"The scholarship is semi-confidential. The words gay, lesbian, or LGBT do not appear on any of the financial forms where the scholarship is listed, so it is possible to keep the nature of the award a secret if you decide to do so," the website says.

Is this legal?

According to the university, yes.

"There are a number of minority scholarships already available to college students. This scholarship was created to serve students who identify as a sexual minority," the website says.

(H/T: The College Fix)