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H.R. 5528 · 114th Congress

Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act

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IntroducedPassed one chamberPassed both chambersBecame law (gold)Resolution agreed to (full, dark)Failed or vetoed (gray)

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Passed the House without a recorded vote, then expired. It passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record how each member voted, but didn't become law before the 114th Congress ended.

JHR HeckSponsor
16 cosponsors · 11 D, 5 R
  1. House Introduced Jun 20, 2016
  2. House Passed Jul 11, 2016
What it does: CRS summary · Passed House amended · Jul 11, 2016

Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education (ED) to use tax information from the second preceding tax year (the "prior, prior year") to determine a student's financial aid eligibility. It requires data sharing between ED and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), pursuant to taxpayer consent.

(Sec. 3) The bill revises the annual adjustment percentage calculation used to determine the total maximum Federal Pell Grant award by measuring inflation over the most recent fiscal year instead of calendar year.

(Sec. 4) ED must develop and maintain a consumer-tested technology tool to allow a federal financial aid applicant to complete, save, and submit electronic forms (e.g., the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) using a mobile device.

Additionally, ED must make every effort to allow applicants to utilize the existing IRS data tool to automatically populate the electronic forms with tax return information.

ED must report to Congress on: (1) efforts to simplify the federal financial aid application process, and (2) the needs of limited English proficient students.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act

Latest action (Jul 12, 2016): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Policy area: Education · Origin: House · Introduced: Jun 20, 2016

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

  1. House Introduced Jun 20, 2016
  2. House Passed Jul 11, 2016

No recorded floor vote found.