ACTS Survey Compliance Deadline Temporarily Extended: What Higher Education Institutions Need to Know

March 23, 2026 - 19:36

A federal court in Massachusetts has issued a temporary injunction, delaying the compliance deadline for a controversial survey of higher education institutions. The order, granted on March 13, blocks an administrative requirement for schools to submit data to the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Survey (ACTS).

The survey, championed by the previous administration, sought detailed information from colleges and universities on topics including admissions practices, donor relations, and campus policies. Proponents argued it would promote transparency for prospective students and families. However, many institutions and higher education associations strongly opposed the mandate, labeling it as an unnecessary and burdensome overreach that threatened student privacy and institutional autonomy.

This legal pause provides a temporary reprieve for schools grappling with the complex and potentially costly demands of the survey. The court's decision halts all enforcement while the underlying lawsuit, which challenges the survey's legal authority and scope, proceeds through the judicial system. Higher education officials are now advised to monitor the ongoing litigation closely, as the final outcome will determine whether the data collection effort will ultimately move forward or be permanently invalidated. For the moment, campuses nationwide await further judicial guidance.