Lower Court Holding
Decision of the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
This appeal challenges Washington law that denies a State-funded "Promise Scholarship" to students who are qualified for it by virtue of high school grades, family income, and attendance at an accredited college in the State, solely because the student decides to pursue a degree in theology. Joshua Davey was awarded the scholarship but lost it when he declared a major in pastoral ministries at Northwest College. He claims that this was discriminatory and denied him access to funds that were otherwise available to all eligible students in violation of the religion clauses of the First Amendment and his Federal and…
