House Passes FAFSA Deadline Act 381-1, Mandating October 1 Release

Nov 15, 2024, 03:27 PM

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the FAFSA Deadline Act (H.R. 8932) by an overwhelming vote of 381 to 1. Introduced by Rep. Erin Houchin, the bipartisan legislation mandates that the Department of Education release the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by October 1st each year. The Act aims to address delays and complications in the FAFSA rollout under the Biden-Harris administration, which have resulted in 430,000 fewer students completing the application this year. Critics argue that the Department prioritized other initiatives over the FAFSA, leading to delays for a second straight year and leaving some capabilities still unavailable. By establishing a firm deadline, the bill seeks to provide students and parents with clarity and predictability in planning for higher education expenses.