H.R.1090 - Truth in Tuition Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1090, the Truth in Tuition Act of 2025, aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. It requires institutions of higher education to provide students with either a multi-year tuition and fee schedule or a single-year schedule with a multi-year estimate of net costs. The bill allows for tuition increases or decreases and includes a waiver provision for institutions facing severe economic distress.
Expected Effects
The bill's primary effect would be increased transparency in college costs for students. This could lead to better financial planning and more informed decisions about higher education. Institutions might also face pressure to control tuition increases to remain competitive.
Potential Benefits
- Provides students with better information for financial planning.
- Could encourage institutions to be more transparent about tuition costs.
- May lead to increased competition among institutions to offer more affordable education.
- Allows students to anticipate future costs and make informed decisions about enrollment.
- The waiver provision protects institutions facing economic hardship.
Potential Disadvantages
- The multi-year estimates are nonbinding, so actual costs could deviate significantly.
- Institutions may increase tuition strategically, knowing students have already committed.
- The waiver provision could be broadly applied, reducing the bill's effectiveness.
- Compliance could create an administrative burden for institutions.
- The bill doesn't address the underlying causes of rising tuition costs.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to improve access to information about higher education costs. Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce, which includes the provision of educational services. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).