Trump Administration Issues 10-Point Plan Requiring Universities to Meet Ideological and Enrollment Standards for Federal Funding

President Donald Trump's administration has issued a 10-point memorandum to US colleges outlining stringent conditions for preferential access to federal funding. The memo, distributed on Wednesday, encompasses wide-ranging requirements affecting international student enrollment, diversity initiatives, and ideological perspectives of campus communities.

The White House document, shared with Reuters by an official, stipulates that institutions must limit international undergraduate enrollment to 15%, eliminate race and sex considerations in hiring and admissions processes, implement a five-year tuition freeze, mandate standardized testing for applicants, and address grade inflation concerns.

Trump has previously threatened to withdraw federal support from universities over various issues, including pro-Palestinian demonstrations against Israel's Gaza operations, transgender policies, climate change initiatives, and diversity programs.

Civil liberties organizations have expressed concerns regarding free speech and academic independence, suggesting these measures aim to align higher education institutions with Trump's political objectives. The president has claimed that universities promote "anti-American" and anti-conservative viewpoints.

The memorandum specifically calls for increased viewpoint diversity among faculty, students, and staff, including governance restructuring and "transforming or abolishing institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas."

Additionally, the document requires foreign students to demonstrate support for "American and Western values" and directs colleges to "screen out students who demonstrate hostility to the United States, its allies, or its values."

Universities would also be obligated to share information about international students, including disciplinary records, with the Department of Homeland Security and State Department upon request.

This guidance may raise legal concerns regarding due process and privacy rights, particularly following recent attempts by the Trump administration to deport pro-Palestinian students—actions that have faced legal challenges.

The memo establishes that "no more than 15% of a university's undergraduate student population shall be participants in the Student Visa Exchange Program, and no more than 5% shall be from any one country." Institutions currently exceeding this threshold would need to apply the cap to incoming classes.

The White House official confirmed that invitations to provide feedback and agreement were sent Wednesday to several prestigious institutions, including Vanderbilt University, Dartmouth College, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Texas, University of Arizona, Brown University, and University of Virginia.

Universities that agree to these terms are promised "multiple positive benefits" including "substantial and meaningful federal grants," according to the letter addressed to university leadership.

The document indicates that compliance will be monitored by the US Justice Department, with non-compliant institutions losing access to the agreement's benefits.

The Trump administration has initiated investigations into multiple colleges, particularly regarding pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's Gaza operations. Several universities have reached settlements to resolve these inquiries.

Columbia University agreed to pay more than $220 million to the government, while Brown University committed to a $50 million payment supporting local workforce development. Trump recently announced that his administration was approaching a deal with Harvard University involving a $500 million payment.

The president has criticized universities for allegedly permitting antisemitism during pro-Palestinian demonstrations. However, protesters, including some Jewish organizations, argue that the government incorrectly equates criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories with antisemitism, and advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism.