The U.S. Department of Defense today issued a final rule in the Federal Register outlining steps the department can take to withhold federal funds from colleges and universities that place restrictions on military recruiters and the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. The rule arises from a defense authorization bill passed in 2004, which was upheld by the Supreme Court two years ago.

The final rule does outline an exception that allows students to continue receiving federal financial aid if their college happens to be one that the Defense Department deems restrictive to military recruiting. Federal money that goes to students — including Pell grants, FFEL-program loans, federal direct loans, and federal work-study funds — would not be jeopardized. —JJ Hermes