S. 880 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Mar 6, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryBars colleges from favoring donor-connected applicants
This bill would stop colleges that accept federal student aid from giving admissions preferences to applicants just because they have connections to donors or alumni. In other words, having a parent who donated money or went to the school wouldn't give someone an edge in getting admitted.
How it affects you
If you're applying to college, this could matter to you. Students without wealthy family connections might have a fairer shot at admission, since colleges couldn't boost applications based on donor ties. The change would apply to schools that participate in federal student aid programs, which covers most colleges and universities.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Mar 6, 2025)
Fair College Admissions for Students Act
This bill prohibits an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student aid programs from giving preferential treatment in the admissions process to applicants based on their relationships to donors or alumni of the IHE.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 880
A BILL
Fair College Admissions for Students Act
Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) · Introduced Mar 6, 2025 · Education · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 19, 2026: “Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.”