College Admissions Accountability Act of 2025
The College Admissions Accountability Act of 2025 would create a new office within the Department of Education: the Office of the Special Inspector General for Unlawful Discrimination in Higher Education. This office would receive and investigate complaints from applicants or students at colleges and universities that receive federal student aid or institutional aid, alleging admissions decisions, funding decisions, or academic programs that violate the Equal Protection Clause or Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. It would also review federal policies that might incentivize discrimination and make recommendations to the affected institutions, the Secretary of Education, the Attorney General, and congressional committees. The bill would require quarterly public reports and could lead to sanctions, including withholding federal funds, for institutions found to discriminate. The office would be funded with an initial $25 million and would sunset 12 years after enactment. Separately, the Higher Education Act would be amended to bar ineligible institutions from receiving federal funds if they are determined to have discriminated on the basis of race. In short, the bill creates a dedicated watchdog within the DOE to police unlawful discrimination in college admissions and related funding decisions, with formal reporting requirements and potential loss of federal funds for violators.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of the Office of the Special Inspector General for Unlawful Discrimination in Higher Education within the Department of Education, with authority to receive, review, and investigate complaints from covered individuals about admissions, financial aid, or programs that violate the Equal Protection Clause or Title VI.
- 2Covered institutions and individuals: institutions that receive federal student aid or institutional aid, and individuals who apply or are enrolled at those institutions; the office can review related federal policies that could incentivize noncompliance.
- 3Remedies and actions: IG can recommend corrective actions at institutions, determine whether personnel should face discipline, assess eligibility for federal funds, and call for further investigations or policy reforms.
- 4Transparency and data: quarterly reports to Congress must disaggregate data on allegations, including acts related to racial bias, and assess the level of cooperation by each institution.
- 5Funding and personnel: initial appropriation of $25 million to carry out the section, with hiring flexibility, contracts, and expertise options typical for inspectors general; the office would join the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.
- 6Sunset: the new IG office terminates 12 years after enactment, creating a built-in expiration unless extended.
- 7Higher Education Act amendment: new Sec. 124 prohibits institutions from receiving federal funds if the Secretary determines their admissions decisions or practices discriminated on the basis of race in violation of the Equal Protection Clause or Title VI.