Ed Dept Tweaks College Admissions Data Reporting Rules
Published Date: 9/14/2026
Notice
Summary
On November 13, 2025, the Department of Education published in the Federal Register a submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval, with a request for public comment, related to the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2025-26 through 2026-27. This document revises the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION provided in that notice.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
More detailed college admissions data
The ACTS collection will publish institution-level admissions information disaggregated by race-sex pairs, admissions test score quintiles, high school performance, and family income so students and families can better judge likelihood of admission. The Department plans to collect these data as part of the IPEDS 2025-26 Winter Collection to make transparency information available to prospective applicants and their families.
Some historical aid data may be missing
The Department noted institutions' records retention policies may prevent reporting of certain older financial aid data. It found aid data are likely available for 2025-26, 2024-25, 2023-24, and 2022-23, but data for 2021-22 are at risk of being unreportable.
Privacy safeguards for student data
ACTS uses a two-step collection where institutions create student-level files that are then aggregated locally or via RTI's tool so the Department will not possess student-level personally identifiable records. Data will be pseudonymized, raw files destroyed after quality checks, and any public or restricted releases reviewed and approved by the IES Disclosure Review Board before release.
Graduate admissions data split by field
For graduate admissions, ACTS will collect a similar set of admissions variables but disaggregated further by broad field of study, because graduate admissions decisions often vary across academic units. The collection does not gather the undergraduate contextual variables for graduate students.
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Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17239, Education Department General Administrative Regulations
The Secretary of Education proposes to amend the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) and other provisions in 2 CFR parts 3474 and 3485 to update the regulations and better align them with other U.S. Department of Education (Department) regulations and procedures, and to include technical updates from the Office of Management and Budget's Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024. The Department intends to finalize these regulations in late 2026.
2026-17001, Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization: The Secretary's Recognition of Accrediting Agencies: Institutional Eligibility Under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as Amended, Student Assistance General Provisions
The Department proposes to revise the existing accrediting agency recognition regulations at 34 CFR part 602 to implement the directives set forth in Executive Order 14279, Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education, and other Administration priorities, align the regulations more closely with statute, and reduce regulatory burden.
2026-15019, Rescinding Portions of the Department of Education Title VI Regulations To Align With the Statutory Text and Conform to Executive Order 14281
The Department of Education is changing its rules to stop punishing unintentional discrimination under Title VI, focusing only on intentional discrimination instead. This update, effective July 24, 2026, will make things clearer, cut costs for schools and organizations getting federal money, and follow a new executive order about fairness and opportunity. If you receive federal funds, these changes affect how you follow civil rights rules.
2026-13286, Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand- Driven Workforce Pell: Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability
Starting July 1, 2027, colleges must prove their programs help students earn enough money to keep getting federal student loans. This new rule affects schools offering Direct Loans and aims to stop loans for programs where graduates don’t make enough. Some parts kick in earlier on August 31, 2026, so schools better get ready to show they’re helping students succeed in the workforce!
2026-10013, Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell: Pell Grant Exclusion Relating to Other Grant Aid; and Workforce Pell Grants
Starting July 20, 2026, students and schools will see new rules for Pell Grants thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Now, some other grants won’t count against Pell Grant eligibility, and a new Workforce Pell Grant will help students in short, job-focused programs get financial aid. This means more chances for students to get money for education that leads straight to good jobs!
2026-08556, Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations
Starting July 1, 2026, new rules will change how federal student loans work for grad students, parents, and professionals. The Grad PLUS loan is being phased out, and repayment plans are getting simpler with a fresh new income-driven option. Plus, folks who’ve defaulted before get a second chance to fix their loans and get back on track.
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