Federal Aid Colleges Must End Legacy and Donor Preferences Starting in 2026

The Fair College Admissions for Students Act is a straightforward piece of legislation with a huge potential impact on the college application process. Simply put, this bill bans colleges and universities that receive federal student aid from giving special preference to applicants based on their family’s connection to the school—whether they are children of alumni (known as “legacy” admissions) or if their family has donated money.

This isn't just a suggestion; it's a hard requirement tied to federal funding. If a university wants to keep participating in programs like Pell Grants or federal student loans, they have to stop factoring in those family ties during admissions. The bill is clear that any “special advantage” based on these connections must end. This rule is slated to kick in starting with the second federal student aid award year after the law is passed, which likely means implementation would begin around the 2026-2027 academic year.

Leveling the Admissions Playing Field

For most families, this change is about fairness. Right now, a student who worked hard, got great grades, and aced the SATs might get edged out by someone with similar scores just because that second student’s parent graduated from the school twenty years ago, or because their family wrote a big check. This bill aims to remove that systemic advantage, shifting the focus entirely back to merit, potential, and application quality.

Think of it this way: if you’re a high school senior managing a job while studying for AP exams, this bill means your application will be judged on its own merits, not against the historical wealth or connections of others. The goal is to make the admissions process truly merit-based, ensuring that access to highly selective schools is determined by what you've achieved, not who your parents are.

Who Feels the Change?

The biggest impact will be felt by institutions that have historically relied on legacy admissions to maintain ties with wealthy alumni and encourage donations. These schools will need to overhaul their admissions models completely. They may face a challenge in maintaining the same level of alumni engagement and fundraising if the promise of preferential treatment for alumni children is removed.

On the flip side, the beneficiaries are the vast majority of applicants: those without generational wealth or familial ties to elite institutions. This change opens up more slots for students who might have previously been considered “on the bubble” but lacked that crucial legacy boost. It’s a move toward democratizing access to higher education, potentially making college admissions less about pedigree and more about performance.