Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities
Mar 26, 2019
Signed by: Donald Trump
Signed on: Mar 21, 2019
Published on: Mar 26, 2019
Mar 26, 2019
Signed by: Donald Trump
Signed on: Mar 21, 2019
Published on: Mar 26, 2019
Summary
Makes colleges protect free speech and share data on student earnings and debt to help families make better choices about higher education.
What problem does this solve?
Some college campuses limit free and open debate, and rising tuition costs create a large financial burden for students. This order requires colleges that get federal money to support free speech and to publish clear data on graduate earnings and student loan debt.
What does this order do?
Links federal grants to free inquiry
Requires federal agencies to ensure that colleges and universities receiving federal research or education grants promote free and open debate on campus.
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Improving transparency and accountability on campus
Expands the College Scorecard with program-specific data
Directs the Secretary of Education to add program-level data to the College Scorecard, including median earnings, student loan debt, and repayment rates for each degree.
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Creates a new tool for student loan borrowers
Requires the Office of Federal Student Aid to create a website and mobile app to help borrowers understand how much they owe and what repayment options are available.
Requires a report on sharing student loan risk
Orders the Secretary of Education to prepare a report on policy options for making colleges share in the financial risk of federal student loans.
Who does this affect?
- College and university students
- Higher education institutions
- Federal student loan borrowers
What is the real world impact?
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Uses federal funding to influence campus speech policies
Ties federal research grants to university policies on free inquiry. Critics might argue this pressures schools to change their speech rules to match the government's views, which could limit certain types of expression.
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Increases financial transparency for students
Helps students and their families make better financial decisions by requiring colleges to share clear information on graduate earnings and loan repayment rates for specific degree programs.
When does this start?
This order sets several deadlines for federal agencies to implement its requirements.
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Improving transparency and accountability on campus
Student loan information tool
By January 1, 2020, the Office of Federal Student Aid must make a website and mobile app available for federal student loan borrowers.
Report on sharing student loan risk
By January 1, 2020, the Secretary of Education must submit a report on policy options for sharing the risk of federal student loans.
Report on loan collection reform
By January 1, 2020, the Secretary of Education must provide policy recommendations for reforming the collection process for defaulted student loans.
Report on student success strategies
By March 21, 2020, the Secretary of Education must publish information on successful efforts to help students complete their degrees affordably and on time.