College Admissions Accountability Act of 2025

Key Points

• The bill creates a new Office of the Special Inspector General for Unlawful Discrimination in Higher Education within the Department of Education. This office would investigate whether colleges are using race in admissions, financial aid, or academic programs in ways that violate the 14th Amendment or the Civil Rights Act.
• The new watchdog would accept and investigate complaints from students or college employees about admissions decisions, financial aid, or academic programs that violate the Supreme Court's ruling against race-based admissions or Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• Colleges found to be discriminating based on race could lose all federal student aid and institutional funding. The Secretary of Education would have the power to cut off a school's eligibility for federal money.
• The office would also have the power to recommend that specific college employees face discipline or removal, and it must submit quarterly reports to Congress tracking the number and nature of violations found at each institution.
• The bill authorizes $25 million in funding and includes a 12-year sunset provision, after which the office would automatically shut down unless Congress acts to extend it.