New College of Florida Looks to Be First to Sign Trump-Era University Funding Compact

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — New College of Florida is poised to become the first U.S. institution to formally sign onto the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, a federal initiative under the Donald Trump administration that offers preferential access to funding in exchange for universities agreeing to certain policy conditions.

According to reporting, the compact invites participating institutions to commit to policies such as freezing tuition increases, limiting international undergraduate enrollment, and ensuring what the administration describes as "intellectual diversity" on campus. In return, universities could gain priority treatment for federal grants and other funding mechanisms.

New College, a small public liberal-arts institution that recently underwent significant leadership and governance changes under Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, has said it "happily" anticipates being first to sign. The college's administration stated that many of the compact's terms already align with its recent policy shifts.

Why This Move Matters

If New College signs the compact, it would be the first public institution to do so, potentially setting a precedent for other colleges and universities. Many institutions nationwide have either delayed responding or expressly rejected the deal, citing concerns over institutional autonomy and federal influence in higher education.

University leaders and higher-education analysts say the outcome may reshape how federal funding interacts with institutional governance and policy. Some critics argue the compact could blur the boundary between academic freedom and conditions tied to government dollars.

What Comes Next

New College's governing board is expected to finalize its commitment in the coming weeks. The national higher-education sector will watch closely to see how other colleges respond to the compact and whether the administration follows through on funding incentives.