Paul, a student at Rural State University ("Rural"), wishes to sue Rural, a public school, for violation of his rights under the U. S. Constitution because Rural refused to select him for its cheerleading squad solely on the basis that he is a male. Paul is indigent, however, and cannot afford to pay the costs of suit, including filing and service of process fees. State law permits court commissioners to grant a prospective state court litigant permission to proceed in forma pauperis, which exempts the litigant from any requirement to pay filing and service of process fees. Paul applied for permission to proceed in forma pauperis. At a hearing, the state court commissioner conceded that Rural's refusal to select Paul was constitutionally discriminatory, but nevertheless denied Paul's application on the ground that Paul's prospective lawsuit "involves merely cheerleading." What arguments could Paul reasonably make that the denial of his in forma pauperis application violated his rights under the U. S. Constitution, and what is the likely outcome? Discuss.