Bill · H.R. 2374· House(119-HR-2374)
American Students First Act
- Introduced
- 3/26/2025
- Last activity
- 3/26/2025 — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Nancy Mace
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the ``American Students First Act'', proposes to amend the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. It aims to prohibit federal financial assistance to public institutions of higher education that provide specific benefits to aliens not lawfully present in the United States. Under this act, an institution becomes ineligible for federal funds if it charges such individuals tuition at a rate equal to or less than the rate charged to state resident citizens. It also targets institutions that provide State-based financial aid to these individuals. If the Secretary of Education determines an institution is ineligible, it may lose federal assistance in the following fiscal year.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill increases federal authority by allowing the Secretary of Education to withhold funds from public institutions.
The opposite· 3 of 5
Would immigrants be better off under this?-7
The bill significantly restricts educational opportunities and financial aid for undocumented immigrants.
Does this make college cost less?-5
The bill may decrease college affordability for institutions by threatening their federal funding.
Would students be better off under this?-4
The bill could negatively impact higher education funding and student aid availability.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Protection of Federal Funding for Eligible Institutions: By prohibiting the provision of federal financial assistance to institutions that violate these rules, the bill seeks to ensure that federal funds are not directed toward schools that provide certain benefits to those not lawfully present (Section 2, Subsection (c)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Loss of Federal Financial Assistance for Public Institutions: Public institutions of higher education could lose their federal financial assistance for the following fiscal year if the Secretary of Education determines they are ineligible (Section 2, Subsection (c)(1)).
-
Impact on Tuition Rates: Institutions may be impacted if they currently charge aliens who are not lawfully present tuition at a rate less than or equal to the rate charged to resident citizens (Section 2, Subsection (c)(2)(A)).
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Impact on State-Based Financial Aid: Institutions that provide State-based financial aid to aliens who are not lawfully present in the United States would be deemed ineligible (Section 2, Subsection (c)(2)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants-7Good For Students-4Good For Low Income Households-3
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability-5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5Increase States Rights-3
- 11/19/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2025
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Lauren BoebertRepublican · Colorado
Josh BrecheenRepublican · Oklahoma
Andy HarrisRepublican · Maryland