FAFSA completion statistics released by the U.S. Department of Education

House Passes FAFSA Deadline Act (H.R. 8932) to Address Delays, Ensure October 1 Deadline

Nov 15, 2024, 03:00 PM

The House of Representatives has passed the FAFSA Deadline Act (H.R. 8932), introduced by Rep. Erin Houchin, to address delays in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. The bill mandates that the FAFSA form be fully operational by October 1 each year, providing students and families with more time to apply for federal student aid. This legislation aims to rectify issues caused by the Biden administration's handling of FAFSA, which resulted in 430,000 fewer students completing the form this year. The act seeks to ensure transparency and predictability for families planning for college. The bill has garnered bipartisan support, with lawmakers emphasizing the importance of timely access to financial aid information for making informed decisions about higher education. Additionally, the bill addresses FAFSA failures and aims to help students meet their basic needs. The Department of Education has been criticized for prioritizing illegal student loan bailout schemes over simplifying the FAFSA process. The bill also aligns with efforts to expand the Pell Grant by $900.