Equal Campus Access Act of 2025

The Equal Campus Access Act of 2025 would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require public colleges and universities to treat religious student organizations the same as other student organizations. Specifically, if a publicly funded institution denies a religious student organization any right, benefit, or privilege that is available to nonreligious student groups (including access to facilities and official recognition), it would jeopardize the institution’s eligibility to receive funds under the Act. In short, public institutions would be blocked from discriminating against religious student groups on the basis of beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or conduct. The bill creates a funding-based enforcement mechanism: federal funds made under the Higher Education Act could not be provided to a noncompliant public institution. This sets up a financial incentive for institutions to ensure equal access and recognition for religious student groups, aligning campus policies with the treatment afforded to other student organizations.