To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the standards for accreditation of an institution of higher education to assess the institution's adoption of admissions practices that refrain from preferential treatment in admissions based on an applicant's relationship to alumni of, or donors to, the institution, to authorize a feasibility study on data collection, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · November 7, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
This bill would require colleges and universities to eliminate preferential treatment in admissions based on applicants' connections to alumni or donors as a condition of maintaining their accreditation. The changes would apply to all higher education institutions that participate in federal financial aid programs. The legislation defines preferential treatment as situations where an applicant's relationship to alumni or donors becomes the deciding factor in admission or in awarding education benefits. The bill includes exceptions allowing colleges to consider demonstrated interest in their institution and permitting religious schools to make admissions decisions consistent with their faith-based values. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Education to conduct a two-year feasibility study with the National Student Clearinghouse to explore how institutions' admissions practices regarding legacy and donor-affiliated applicants could be better tracked and reported, while protecting donor privacy and personal information.
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