Truth in Tuition Act of 2025

119th Congress Introduced by Gerry Connolly and 5 co-sponsors

The Truth in Tuition Act mandates Arkansas public colleges to provide clear tuition breakdowns, ensuring students and families can make informed education choices.

Introduced in House

# Summary of HR 1090: Truth in Tuition Act of 2025 ## Purpose and Intent The **Truth in Tuition Act of 2025** (HR 1090) aims to enhance transparency in higher education tuition rates in Arkansas. The bill seeks to ensure that students and their families have clear and accurate information regarding the total cost of tuition, including any additional fees, to facilitate informed decision-making when selecting educational institutions. ## Key Provisions - **Tuition Transparency**: The bill mandates that all public colleges and universities in Arkansas provide a detailed breakdown of tuition and fees on their websites. This breakdown must include: - Base tuition rates - Mandatory fees - Optional fees - Any other costs associated with enrollment - **Annual Reporting**: Institutions are required to submit an annual report to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education detailing tuition rates and any changes made to them. - **Standardized Format**: The bill requires that the tuition information be presented in a standardized format to ensure consistency and ease of comparison across institutions. - **Consumer Protection**: The legislation includes provisions to protect students from unexpected tuition increases by requiring institutions to notify students of any changes at least 30 days prior to the start of a semester. ## Who Would Be Affected - **Students and Families**: The primary beneficiaries of this legislation are current and prospective students, as well as their families, who will have access to clearer information about the costs associated with higher education. - **Public Colleges and Universities**: These institutions will need to comply with the new reporting and transparency requirements, which may involve administrative adjustments. - **Arkansas Department of Higher Education**: This department will oversee the compliance and reporting processes established by the bill. ## Procedural Aspects - **Introduced**: The bill was introduced in the House on **March 18, 2025**. - **Committee Review**: It was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce and subsequently to the Committee on House Management. - **Amendments**: An amendment was adopted on **April 1, 2025**, which included additional cosponsors to the resolution. - **Adoption**: The bill was read and adopted by the House on **April 10, 2025**. ## Conclusion The Truth in Tuition Act of 2025 represents a significant step towards improving transparency in higher education costs in Arkansas. By providing clear and accessible information about tuition and fees, the bill aims to empower students and their families to make better-informed choices regarding their education.