MERIT Act

This bill would change federal accreditation standards for colleges so that accrediting agencies must assess whether a college's admissions practices avoid giving preference to applicants because of their relationship to alumni or donors. Preferential treatment is defined as an admissions decision or education benefit where that relationship is the determining factor. Colleges could still consider an applicant's demonstrated interest under certain conditions, and religious institutions could still make admissions decisions consistent with their faith-based values. The Secretary of Education would report to Congress on compliance efforts, and within 2 years would study whether the National Student Clearinghouse could collect data on alumni- and donor-related admissions.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Todd Young Republican sponsor
• 5 cosponsors