HR 8932 United States House · 118th Congress

FAFSA Deadline Act

The FAFSA Deadline Act changes the deadline for processing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from January 1 to October 1 prior to a student's planned college enrollment year. This requires students and families to submit their FAFSA applications earlier each year, potentially allowing for faster financial aid decisions. The bill also mandates that the Secretary of Education certify by September 1 whether the October 1 deadline will be met, and if not, testify by September 30 about the reasons and financial impact on students and families. These changes apply directly to all students and families seeking federal financial aid for higher education.

Issues: ✓ Education

Sub-Topics: Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jul 2024

Committee Review

Nov 2024

House Passage

Nov 2024

Senate Passage

Nov 2024

Signed into Law

Dec 2024

Introduced Jul 5, 2024 Signed Dec 11, 2024

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced in House → Engrossed in House · 3 edits · Nov 15, 2024

MINOR

The engrossed version of the FAFSA Deadline Act tightens the October 1 processing deadline by removing the 'to the maximum extent practicable' and 'on or around' qualifiers, making it a firm requirement rather than a best-efforts goal. It also adds a new accountability mechanism requiring the Secretary to certify annually whether the Department will meet the deadline and, if not, to testify before Congress about the failure and its financial impact on students.

REQUIREMENT

The FAFSA processing deadline was changed from 'not later than January 1...to the maximum extent practicable, on or around October 1' to a firm 'not later than October 1 prior to the applicant's planned year of enrollment,' removing all flexibility language.

ENFORCEMENT

A new Section 3 requires the Secretary to certify by September 1 each year whether the Department will meet the October 1 deadline, and if it will not, to testify before authorizing committees by September 30 about the anticipated failure and its financial impact on students and families.

TECHNICAL

Section 2 was retitled from 'FAFSA submission date' to 'Establishment of earlier application processing cycle,' better reflecting that the bill targets when the Department processes applications rather than when students submit them.

Floor votes · House Nov 15, 2024

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Dec 11, 2024

Signed into law

Signed by President.

executive

Nov 21, 2024

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6696)

upper

Nov 21, 2024

Upper · Passed

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6696)

upper

Nov 15, 2024

Lower · Passed

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 381 - 1 (Roll no. 465). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H6017)

lower

Nov 15, 2024

Lower · Passed

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 381 - 1 (Roll no. 465). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H6017)

lower

Nov 12, 2024

Lower · Passed

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1568 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8932, H.R. 7409 and H.R. 8446. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8932, H.R. 7409, and H.R. 8446 under a closed rule, and provides for one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.

lower

Sep 20, 2024

Lower · Passed

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 118-695.

lower

Jul 10, 2024

Introduced

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 34 - 6.

lower

Jul 10, 2024

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

lower

Jul 5, 2024

Committee

Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

lower

Jul 5, 2024

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 10 co-sponsors