Accreditation is the quiet machinery that decides whether a college can offer federal student aid. The U.S. Department of Education has proposed a new rule — “Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization” (docket ED-2025-OPE-1042) — that would expand federal leverage over universities through that machinery, from what accreditors must police in hiring and curriculum to whether a program’s worth is judged mainly by graduates’ earnings.
The public comment period is open through September 21, 2026. This is one of the formal, on-the-record ways the public can weigh in: the Department is required to respond to substantive comments as part of the rulemaking record. You do not need to be an expert. A short comment in your own words — what concerns you, and why — is what matters most.
Our friends at UC Unbowed held a teach-in on accreditation with Professor Jonathan Glater and put the resources in one place:
- Watch the teach-in
- Step-by-step guidance for writing your comment
- Accreditation FAQs
- Submit your comment
You can also find these on our Hold Your Ground page, alongside the other ways to stand with the University of California.
UC Unbowed is an independent alumni and ally organization. It is not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or a part of the University of California.