PROTECT Students Act of 2025

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Preventing Risky Operations from Threatening the Education and Career Trajectories of Students Act of 2025 or the PROTECT Students Act of 2025 This bill sets forth provisions to address financial predatory practices in higher education, including by establishing additional protections for students and student loan borrowers. Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for Department of Education (ED) regulations related to gainful employment, borrower defense to repayment, and closed school discharges. For example, ED's 2023 gainful employment regulations specify that ED considers a career education program to be preparing students for gainful employment if it meets specified debt-to-earnings or earnings premium measures. Additionally, the bill prohibits institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs from taking specified actions, such as (1) restricting students' ability to pursue claims against IHEs in court, and (2) withholding official transcripts because of a balance owed by the student. The bill requires IHEs to spend at least 30% of their tuition and fee revenue on instruction. The bill also includes additional oversight…