Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities

This executive order directs federal agencies to tie higher education grant funding to campus free speech protections and mandates new transparency tools for student borrowers. It requires the Education Department to launch a loan information website by January 1, 2020, expand the College Scorecard with program-level earnings and debt data, and report on risk-sharing options for student loans.

Federal Register Open PDF 84 FR 11401

Impact dates

Mar 21, 2020
Compilation of state/institutional completion best practices published
Jan 1, 2020
Borrower website/app launch; risk-sharing report; collections reform recommendations
Jul 1, 2019
Annual updates to National Council for the American Worker begin

Key directives

Covered agencies must ensure grant recipients promote free inquiry consistent with First Amendment or institutional policies
Secretary of Education to launch secure borrower information website and mobile app by January 1, 2020
Expand and annually update College Scorecard with program-level earnings, Stafford/Grad PLUS/Parent PLUS debt, and repayment/default rates
Expand and annually update College Scorecard with institution-level aggregate repayment and default rates
Secretary of Treasury to provide program-level earnings data upon request
Submit risk-sharing policy options report by January 1, 2020
Submit defaulted loan collections reform recommendations by January 1, 2020
Annual progress reports to National Council for the American Worker beginning July 1, 2019
Compile and publish research on state/institutional completion strategies within 1 year

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Policy statement on free inquiry and institutional accountability takes effect

Near term (90d)

Annual reporting to National Council for the American Worker begins July 1, 2019

Long term

College Scorecard expansion with annual updates
Risk-sharing policy analysis due January 1, 2020
Student loan reform recommendations due January 1, 2020
Compilation of state institutional best practices due March 21, 2020

Risks & tensions

Free inquiry enforcement mechanism vague—'appropriate steps' undefined, creating uncertainty about how agencies will assess compliance
First Amendment applies to public institutions but private institutions only bound by 'stated institutional policies,' creating asymmetric accountability
Risk-sharing proposals could face significant congressional opposition if requiring legislation
Data sharing between Education and Treasury for program-level earnings may raise privacy concerns despite statutory authority
Annual Scorecard updates depend on sustained appropriations and administrative commitment beyond current administration