How the Trump Admin Could Speed Up a Controversial New Accreditor
Dylan Halper
May 28, 2026
A state official said the UNC System’s Commission for Public Higher Education could win federal recognition in 2027.
The Trump administration’s proposed revamp of college accreditation rules could speed up the UNC System’s effort to launch a new accreditor for public universities.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Education’s Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization committee agreed to an extensive set of proposed new regulations that would ease the process for accreditors to enter the market and add new standards, including assessing universities’ commitment to academic freedom and policies for transfer students.
Accreditors ensure that colleges and universities meet certain finance, governance, and academic standards. Institutions must have the recognition of a Department of Education-approved accreditor in order for students to get federal financial aid. But conservatives have accused accreditors of forcing colleges to adopt progressive ideas, such as diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. Other critics say the process is too onerous and time-consuming.
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