This week in college admissions, a lawsuit is filed against elite colleges regarding the early decision process, Princeton enhances its financial aid program, Stanford continues legacy admissions, and Trump orders colleges and universities to submit data on race in admissions.
A class-action lawsuit has been filed in Massachusetts accusing 32 elite colleges and universities of using the early decision process to inflate tuition costs. Five of the eight Ivy League universities are named, along with many selective liberal arts colleges. The plaintiffs, four current and former students, claim that the process eliminates competition and violates anti-trust laws because students do not have the chance to compare financial aid offers.
Princeton has enhanced its financial aid program for the coming year, while welcoming an incoming class with the largest-ever number of students who are eligible for Pell Grants. Most families who earn up to $150,000 annually will have their students’ costs completely covered, and most families with annual incomes up to $250,000 will pay no tuition. Approximately 25% of the class of 2029 are low-income students, the largest number in the university’s history.
Stanford will continue considering legacy status for the fall 2026 admissions cycle, despite a new bill which prohibits universities benefiting from state-funded financial aid from providing legacy preference. Stanford will withdraw from the Cal Grant, a state-sponsored fund for California students in financial need, and will replace it with university funding.
President Trump issued an executive action requiring colleges and universities to submit data to ensure that they are not illegally considering race in their admissions process. The order does not outline what data would prove whether a university is or is not considering race in admissions, and it is unclear how the order will be enforced.
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