Congress·In Committee·S. 880

Sen. Merkley and Sen. Kennedy Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Ban Legacy Admissions at Colleges

Fair College Admissions for Students Act

1 day ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Key Points

This bill would ban colleges from giving preferential treatment to applicants based on their connections to alumni or donors. Any school that participates in federal student aid programs would have to stop these practices to keep receiving federal funding.
The bill works by amending the Higher Education Act of 1965, adding the legacy/donor preference ban as a new condition that schools must meet to participate in federal student assistance programs. Since nearly all colleges accept federal aid, this would apply broadly.
From policy text
“Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following”
View in full text
Schools would get roughly two years to change their admissions practices before the ban takes effect. The law would kick in on the first day of the second award year after it's enacted, giving colleges time to adjust.
From policy text
“The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the first day of the second award year (as defined in section 481(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1088(a))) that begins after the date of enactment of this Act.”
View in full text
The bill has bipartisan support, introduced by Senators Merkley, Kennedy, and Padilla, crossing party lines. It was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
From policy text
“Mr. Merkley (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Padilla) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions”
View in full text

EducationCivil Rights

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones3 actions

Mar 19, 2026Senate

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.

Mar 6, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Mar 6, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Related News

4 articles

BestColleges·about 1 year ago

Senate Bill Seeks to End Legacy Admissions

Introduced on March 6, 2025, by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and John Kennedy (R-La.), the Fair College Admissions for Students Act seeks to eliminate legacy and donor preferences at all public and private colleges participating in federal student aid programs to ensure merit-based admissions.

Higher Ed Dive·over 2 years ago

Congressional Democrats reintroduce bill to ban legacy admissions

The legislation would block colleges from participating in federal financial aid programs if they offer legacy seats. Proponents argue that ending these preferences is a necessary step to improve campus diversity following the Supreme Court's ruling against race-conscious admissions.

PBS NewsHour·almost 3 years ago

U.S. colleges divided over whether to end legacy admissions

The debate over legacy admissions has intensified as the Supreme Court re-evaluates affirmative action. While some argue legacy preferences are a vital fundraising tool, others see them as an unethical barrier to equitable access to education.

CL=