The Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) represents one of the most significant expansions to IPEDS in recent years. As institutions work through evolving requirements, tight timelines, and outstanding questions, AIR has created this Resource Center to support clarity, preparation, and informed decision-making.
The information on this page is offered as a resource for the higher education community. It is not intended to be official guidance or a substitute for information from the U.S. Department of Education.
Background
Under the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS), the U.S. Department of Education (ED) requires four-year institutions with selective admissions to submit detailed, disaggregated data on applications, admissions, enrollment, and aid — by race-sex pairings; and further broken out by GPA quintiles, test-score quintiles, family income ranges, Pell-grant eligibility, parental education (first-generation status), application round (e.g. early action/decision vs. regular), and more. For graduate/professional programs, data would be reported by field of study (CIP code).
Read more about ACTS background, timeline, and requirements.
Documents and Publications
Training
AIR Data & Decisions Consulting Support
ACTS Advisory Hours
Access flexible guidance to help you understand requirements, interpret expectations, and prepare your institution for this work. This advisory-only service offers dedicated time with a consultant who can answer questions, review approaches, and support your team with ACTS submission.
Peer-to-Peer Resources
Upcoming ACTS Coffee Chats
Coffee chats provide our community with a casual, virtual opportunity to connect thoughtfully around various questions and challenges.
AIR Advocacy and News
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Proposed New IPEDS Data Component Would Have Significant Impacts on Institutions
The U.S. Department of Education has proposed adding the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) to this year’s IPEDS data collection. https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-15536.pdf &nb...Read Moreabout: Proposed New IPEDS Data Component Would Have Significant Impacts on Institutions