Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, Direct Grant Programs, State-Administered Formula Grant Programs, Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program, and Strengthening Institutions Program

In response to the United States Supreme Court's decision in Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Comer (2017), the United States Attorney General's October 6, 2017 Memorandum on Federal Law Protections for Religious Liberty,and Executive Order 13831 (Establishment of a White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative), the Department proposes revising the current regulations regarding the eligibility of faith-based entities to participate in the Department's Direct Grant programs, State-Administered Formula Grant programs, and discretionary grant programs authorized under title III and V of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and the eligibility of students to obtain certain benefits under those programs. Additionally, in response to E.O. 13864 (Improving Free Inquiry, Transparent, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities), the Department proposes to revise the current regulations to encourage institutions to foster environments that promote open, intellectually engaging, and diverse debate, including through compliance with the First Amendment for public institutions and compliance with stated institutional policies regarding freedom of speech, including academic freedom, for private institutions.