Hunt v. McNair

At issue in Hunt v. McNair (1973) was the constitutionality of a program in South Carolina that provided support for religious institutions of higher learning. When federal, state, or local governments undertake to provide financial or other support for private postsecondary education, the question arises whether this aid, insofar as it benefits religious institutions, constitutes government support for religion. If governmental aid does constitute such support, then it may well violate the Establishment Clause, because the state would have departed from its position of neutrality. In higher education, Hunt v. McNair stands out as a leading case, along with Tilton v. Richardson (1971), Roemer v. Board of Public Works (1976), and Witters v. Washington Department of Services for the Blind (1986), in suggesting that a ...