HYDE-SMITH WANTS TO GIVE STUDENTS, FAMILIES MORE RELIABLE DATA ON CHOOSING COLLEGES & MAJORS
Hyde-Smith Cosponsors Sen. Cassidy’s Bipartisan ‘College Transparency Act’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today announced that she joined U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) in reintroducing legislation to require colleges and universities to provide students and families more reliable data to make better-informed higher education and career choices.
The bipartisan, bicameral College Transparency Act (S.2511) would modernize the way colleges report data to give prospective students clear, comprehensive information regarding graduation rates, job prospects, and earning potential for different programs and schools. Currently, federal data systems do not cover all students, which leaves many families without a complete understanding of their options.
“College is a significant investment, and students deserve clear, reliable information to guide their choices,” said Senator Hyde-Smith. “The College Transparency Act would provide them with valuable data on how different options affect future opportunities. I’ve long supported this sensible legislation that promotes transparency and accountability for the benefit of students, families, and employers.”
“The One Big Beautiful Bill made historic reforms to our broken higher education system, lowering college costs and increasing Americans’ access to quality education options,” said Dr. Cassidy. “The College Transparency Act builds on that success by empowering students and families with information to make the best college decision so they can succeed.”
By improving the availability and accuracy of key data, S.2511 would help students evaluate the value of different degrees and institutions in relation to their goals. It would also assist colleges and policymakers in enhancing educational outcomes and provide employers with better insights into the workforce pipeline.
The One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law by President Trump on July 4, included a number of provisions designed to make post-secondary education more affordable. Among other things, the law authorizes Pell Grants for short-term workforce training programs to increase access to career or technical-based education. It also enhances 529 savings accounts to make education more affordable for families, while also fixing the cash-poor, asset-rich penalty in the federal student financial assistance application process. This penalty often harmed many students from farming and small business families.
Additional original cosponsors of S.2511 include U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). U.S. Representatives Mark Kelly (R-Pa.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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