Many people wrongly believe affirmative action allows unqualified students to be admitted ahead of qualified students. This is not how college admissions work,' he said.

He argued universities make a pool of qualified students and, from there, add in other factors like grades and race.

The president encouraged universities to still consider the 'hardships' students had to overcome in order to apply to college and proposed that schools 'take into account the adversity a student has overcome.'

'Discrimination still exists in America. Today's decision does not change that. It's a simple fact. If a student has overcome - had to overcome adversity on the path to education, the college should recognize and value that,' he said.

He said colleges 'should not abandon their commitment to ensure they stay tuned bodies of diverse backgrounds and experience that reflect all of America.'

He blasted higher-education for remaining a purview of the privileged.

'Today, for too many schools, the only people that benefit are the wealthy and well connected. The odds have been tacked against working people for much too long. We need a higher education system that works for everyone, from Appalachia to Atlanta and far beyond,' he said.

“Two former presidents had two different opinions.

Former President Donald Trump, the current Republican presidential frontrunner, wrote on Truth Social that the decision marked 'a great day for America. People with extraordinary ability and everything else necessary for success, including future greatness for our Country, are finally being rewarded.'

Former President Barack Obama said in a statement that affirmative action 'allowed generations of students like Michelle and me to prove we belonged. Now it´s up to all of us to give young people the opportunities they deserve - and help students everywhere benefit from new perspectives.”