A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Fair College Admissions for Students Act," aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. It seeks to stop institutions of higher education that participate in Federal student assistance programs from giving preferential treatment in admissions. Specifically, it targets preferences given to applicants based on their relationships to alumni or donors. The changes would take effect on the first day of the second award year starting after the act is enacted.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Eliminating donor and alumni preferences can facilitate greater access for students from lower economic backgrounds.
- Scored +5
Would students be better off under this?
The bill promotes a more equitable and merit-based environment for all students.
- Scored +5
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
By eliminating legacy preferences, the bill may increase access for underrepresented racial groups.
The opposite· 3 of 5
- Scored -5
Would high-income households be better off under this?
Wealthy families who rely on donor or alumni status for admissions may find their advantages reduced.
- Scored -5
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?
The bill reduces the systemic advantage high-net-worth individuals hold through donations.
- Scored -5
Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this?
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Elimination of Admissions Preferences: The bill prohibits institutions from providing any manner of preferential treatment in the admission process based on relationships to donors or alumni (Section 2(a)). This could create a more level playing field for applicants who do not have those specific connections.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Eliminating donor and alumni preferences can facilitate greater access for students from lower economic backgrounds. Would students be better off under this? — The bill promotes a more equitable and merit-based environment for all students. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The removal of legacy preferences may increase opportunities for minority applicants. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — A more merit-based system could benefit Hispanic applicants disproportionately affected by legacy rules. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Removing legacy preferences may improve access for Native American students. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young applicants without legacy connections may benefit from a more merit-based admissions process. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill could potentially ease admissions competition for various demographic groups. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — It creates a more level playing field for middle-class students without institutional connections. Would billionaires be better off under this? Would high-income households be better off under this? — Wealthy families who rely on donor or alumni status for admissions may find their advantages reduced. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — The bill reduces the systemic advantage high-net-worth individuals hold through donations. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? Would white Americans be better off under this? — White applicants often benefit statistically from legacy admissions programs.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — By eliminating legacy preferences, the bill may increase access for underrepresented racial groups.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — By removing preferential treatment for wealthy donors, it may increase upward mobility in higher education.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal oversight of admissions processes for institutions receiving federal assistance.
- 10/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Christopher DeluzioDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania