American Students First Act

Summary

Conditions federal higher-education funding to public colleges on those institutions not offering in-state tuition parity or State-based financial aid to people not lawfully present in the U.S.; the Education Secretary must identify violations and institutions found in violation lose eligibility for federal financial assistance for the fiscal year after the year the determination is made. The bill also establishes an official short title for the Act.

• Conditions all Federal financial assistance to public higher-education institutions on not giving in-state tuition parity or State aid to people not lawfully present.
• Gives the Secretary of Education authority to determine which institutions violate the prohibition.
• Institutions found in violation lose eligibility for Federal financial assistance for the fiscal year after the fiscal year of the determination.
• Uses existing federal definitions by cross-reference for key terms like "Federal financial assistance," "institution of higher education," and "State."
• Applies only to public institutions of higher education, not private institutions.
• Does not specify an immediate effective date beyond the described ineligibility timing tied to fiscal years.
• Could force states and public colleges to choose between current in-state/aid policies for undocumented students and continued receipt of federal higher-education funding.
• Increases enforcement responsibilities for the Department of Education to monitor and make determinations.