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119-s-1253119th CongressWALLET

College Admissions Accountability Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Banks, Jim [R-IN]

Introduced

Summary

Prevent race-based discrimination in college admissions. This bill would create a Special Inspector General for Unlawful Discrimination in Higher Education to investigate complaints, assess whether policies incentivize racial bias, and recommend remedies. It would also bar institutions from receiving federal student or institutional aid if the Secretary determines they discriminated on the basis of race in admissions or financial aid, citing Harvard College v. Students for Fair Admissions (2023) as the Equal Protection standard reference.

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  • Students, especially students of color: Would get a new pathway to file complaints and see disaggregated data on alleged racial bias, plus institutional reform recommendations when violations are found.
  • Colleges and universities: Would face investigations, remedial recommendations, possible discipline of responsible personnel, and loss of federal student or institutional aid if found to have racially discriminatory admissions or financial aid policies.
  • Department of Education and oversight: Would host an independent Office of the Special Inspector General with authority to review systems, maintain confidentiality, and report quarterly to Congress; the office would have $25 million in authorized funding and a 12-year sunset.

*Would authorize $25 million in federal funding for the new inspector general office, with funds available until expended.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Colleges could lose federal aid

If enacted, the bill would bar any college from receiving Federal student assistance or Federal institutional aid if the Secretary of Education determines the school discriminated on the basis of race in admissions, financial aid, or programs. The legal standard cited includes the Equal Protection Clause as interpreted in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. If a college lost eligibility, students there could lose access to federal grants and loans.

New inspector for college discrimination

If enacted, the bill would create an Office of the Special Inspector General for Unlawful Discrimination in Higher Education inside the Department of Education. The Special Inspector General would be appointed by the President with Senate approval and paid at the inspector general rate. The office could hire staff, contract for audits, protect the confidentiality of reporters, and join the Council of Inspectors General. The bill would authorize $25,000,000 to stand up and run the office, and the office would end 12 years after enactment.

Investigate race-based college complaints

If enacted, the Special Inspector General would be required to receive, review, and investigate complaints from students or employees about race-based discrimination in admissions, financial aid, or academic programs. The office would apply standards under the Equal Protection Clause as interpreted in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and under Title VI. The IG would review federal policies that might encourage discrimination and recommend fixes, discipline, further investigations, or changes to federal funding rules. Colleges would have to fix problems the IG identifies or certify to the IG and Congress that no action is needed.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Banks, Jim [R-IN]

IN • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 9/29/2026

  • Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 4/2/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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