Truth in Tuition Act of 2025This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs to provide admitted students with information related to tuition and fees. Specifically, the bill requires an IHE to provide to a student (1) a multi-year tuition and fee schedule; or (2) a single-year tuition and fee schedule and a nonbinding, multi-year estimate of net costs after financial aid is awarded. The Department of Education may waive this requirement under certain circumstances.
Upon enactment, this bill is expected to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 by introducing a new requirement for institutions that enroll students in undergraduate and graduate programs. The amendment will facilitate comparisons between different institutions, ultimately helping to foster a more competitive and accessible educational environment. This increased transparency in tuition costs might also influence institutional pricing strategies as institutions may aim to be more competitive in their pricing to attract prospective students.
House Bill 1090, titled the 'Truth in Tuition Act of 2025', aims to enhance financial transparency in higher education by requiring certain colleges and universities to provide prospective students with clear tuition information. Specifically, institutions will be mandated to share multi-year tuition and fee schedules or single-year schedules accompanied by nonbinding estimates of future costs after financial aid is considered. By providing this information, the bill seeks to empower students and families, allowing for better financial planning when considering higher education options.
While supporters argue that this bill will aid students in making informed decisions regarding their education finances, critics may contend that the requirement could place additional administrative burdens on institutions, particularly smaller colleges that may lack the resources to effectively implement such measures. Furthermore, there is a potential concern regarding how accurately institutions can predict tuition increases or changes in financial aid availability over multi-year time frames. This could spark debate regarding the practicality and feasibility of the bill's requirements in the diverse landscape of higher education.