Washington University in St. Louis announced on Friday that, based on guidance from the U.S. Education Department, it would begin letting members of any race apply for scholarships previously reserved for black students.

The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights had been investigating the university's John B. Ervin Scholars Program since last September, when two advocacy groups that oppose affirmative action filed a complaint about it.

Just weeks ago, university officials had maintained that the program was on solid legal footing and had been resisting requests from the two advocacy groups, the Center for Equal Opportunity and the American Civil Rights Institute, to make the scholarships available to students of any race.

On Friday, however, the university's leaders acknowledged that their interpretation of the law had changed, based partly on a visit to the campus earlier in the week by staff members from the Office for Civil Rights.

"Given the Supreme Court's decision last year involving the University of Michigan's undergraduate admissions program and other legal developments, and in light of the guidance we have recently received from the Department of Education, we believe it is no longer possible for Washington University to lawfully operate this scholarship program on a race-exclusive basis," said James E. McLeod, the university's vice chancellor for students.

Each year the scholarship program provides 10 entering freshmen with full-tuition waivers, a $2,500 stipend, and pledges of academic support. Under the new eligibility criteria, to be applied toward students entering the university in the 2005-6 academic year, the program will be open to all applicants "who demonstrate exceptional intellectual and leadership achievements," a statement issued by the university said. Preference will be given to students who are interested in a career in education or are active in community service and have shown a commitment to meeting the needs of less-fortunate segments of society.

Roger B. Clegg, the Center for Equal Opportunity's general counsel, said that the university "did the right thing" by recognizing that "students of all races and ethnicities can contribute to this program."

"We are gratified at the decision that it made, and we are also gratified at the role that the Department of Education played," Mr. Clegg said.

The Office for Civil Rights is still investigating the Washington University case and has a policy of not commenting on cases that are pending.