Education Department would guide colleges on applicants’ criminal and juvenile records

The Education Secretary would issue guidance and recommendations for colleges on removing justice-history questions from admission applications. The guidance would cover criminal and juvenile justice histories of people applying to colleges. Colleges would be advised to decide whether they need this information and whether removing the questions is appropriate. If a college asks outside admissions, the guidance would call for clear, narrow questions, a chance to explain, trained staff, and privacy protections. If a college keeps the questions in admissions, the guidance would recommend waiting until after making the admission decision. The guidance would recommend notice and an explanation within 30 days when a college denies or withdraws admission solely because of that history.

The Education Secretary would provide colleges with training and technical help using department funds already available. Training would cover college staff who make admission and aid decisions or help students with jobs, housing, and careers. The help would support policies aligned with the federal recommendations. Training would address avoiding substitute questions when colleges stop asking about justice history and helping affected students navigate work and licensing barriers.

The Education Secretary would develop a resource center for colleges and researchers. The center would collect recommended college practices and research about higher education for people with criminal or juvenile justice histories.