S. 2511 — College Transparency Act

This section directs the Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics to develop and maintain a secure, privacy-protected postsecondary student-level data system within 4 years of enactment of the College Transparency Act. The system must evaluate enrollment patterns, progression, completion, postcollegiate outcomes, costs, and financial aid; provide customizable information for students and families; reduce institutional reporting burdens; follow Federal data minimization practices; and incorporate modern privacy and security standards. It also requires the Commissioner to establish a Postsecondary Student Data System Advisory Committee within 2 years of enactment, with specified membership including institutional representatives, students, privacy experts, and Federal officials.

This section revises data reporting requirements for institutions of higher education participating in federal student aid programs. It requires institutions or their agents to collect and submit data to the Commissioner for Education Statistics in accordance with section 132(l), nonstudent-related surveys in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, or other federal higher education data collections designated by the Secretary, in a timely manner and to the Secretary’s satisfaction. The change takes effect 4 years after enactment.

This section directs the Secretary of Education and the Commissioner for Education Statistics to develop and maintain the postsecondary student data system in a manner that reduces the reporting burden for entities that reported into the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).