ED Proposes New IPEDS Survey Component

The Department of Education is proposing adding a new Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) survey to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The new collection stems from a presidential memorandum and ensuing Department of Education directive issued in August that aims to increase transparency in admissions and financial aid practices.

Although details are vague, the newly proposed ACTS survey would require institutions with “competitive admissions” to report admissions criteria, financial aid, and academic performance data for undergraduates applying to and attending these schools, disaggregated by race, gender, family income, admission type, and other factors. Similar data are expected for graduate students, further disaggregated by field of study.

The initial collection would cover the 2025-26 academic year and the five prior academic years.

The Department will be accepting public comments until October 14. NAICU plans to submit comments based on feedback received from institutions and other community channels. Institutions should estimate the amount of time it would take to compile and submit the proposed data and provide their own comments to the Department if appropriate.

More details on the proposal and instructions for providing feedback are available on the proposal page.

For more information, please contact:
Jason Ramirez