This summer has already brought the most significant changes to higher education policy in nearly two decades, driven by last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill. But another major shift has received far less attention: the Trump administration’s proposed overhaul of accreditation.

Within weeks, the Department of Education (ED) is expected to release its proposed rule on accreditation, which will closely mirror the 163-page draft regulatory language approved by negotiators in May. Once published, stakeholders will likely have 30 days to submit public comments. This brief explains what the proposed draft regulations would change, why they matter for students and institutions, and why stakeholders who value consumer protection, academic freedom, and student supports in higher education should start preparing their public comments now.

Read the Brief

What’s at Stake?

The draft regulatory language’s provisions would weaken accreditors’ role as independent watchdogs for consumer protection and educational quality while requiring them to enforce the administration’s legally flawed interpretations of “academic freedom,” “viewpoint and ideological neutrality,” and “civil rights.” These changes could make it easier for institutions to evade accountability, encourage self-censorship, and undermine student supports and academic independence.

Who Would Be Most Affected?

If finalized as currently drafted, the regulations would disproportionately harm students of color and students from low-income backgrounds, while weakening protections that benefit all students. The changes could also reshape how colleges, universities, and accreditors make decisions about curriculum, student supports, and institutional oversight.

What Should Stakeholders Do Now?

Update as of September 4: On August 20, ED issued its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement the Trump administration’s revisions to the federal accreditation regulations. The public comment period is now open and ends on September 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. To help stakeholders respond, EdTrust and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law have created a public comment template that individuals and organizations can use as a starting point to draft and submit their public comments.

Accreditation Public Comment Resource, EdTrust and Lawyers’ Committee

While too many institutions and accreditors have already succumbed to political pressure rather than resisting the administration’s broader assault on higher education, stakeholders can’t afford to stay silent — especially when policymakers at both the federal and state levels continue to weaken consumer protections, undermine academic independence, and erode supports for the students who need them the most.

Photo credit: copyright 2025, G. Edward Johnson. CC-By Attribution