WASHINGTON (March 6, 2025) – WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in introducing the bipartisan Fair College Admissions for Students Act. The bill would prohibit higher education institutions from participating in federal student assistance programs if the institution practices legacy admissions.
“Louisiana’s students work hard for an opportunity to get into their dream college. However, the practice of legacy admissions undermines good academic performance. The Fair College Admissions for Students Act would make sure that higher education institutions make decisions about who can attend their schools based on merit,” said Kennedy.
“As the first in my family to go to college, I know the struggles facing students whose parents have never been through the process before or don’t have the money for expensive test prep or advisors to help them craft the perfect essay. Children of donors and alumni may be excellent, well-qualified students, but the fact is they are the last people who should get an additional leg up in the complicated and competitive college admissions process. To counter the unfair advantage of money and connections in accessing higher education, Senator Kennedy and I are teaming up to put an end to taxpayer dollars propping up this system that only serves the rich and powerful,” said Merkley.
According to the National Center for Education Services, during the 2022-2023 academic year, more than 570 institutions admitted to considering legacy status when making admissions decisions.
The Fair College Admissions for Students Act would prevent higher education institutions from participating in federal assistance programs if they use preferential treatment in the admission process to applicants on the basis of their relationships to donors to the institution or alumni of the institution.
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) also cosponsored the bill.
Full text of the Fair College Admissions for Students Act is available here.
