Education (Student Financial Aid)

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 21, 2026

S 4365: FAFSA Verification Efficiency Act

The FAFSA Verification Efficiency Act requires the U.S. Department of Education to verify the Social Security numbers and citizenship status of all applicants providing this information for federal student aid. This change mandates that the Department of Education work directly with the Social Security Administration to confirm these details before processing financial aid applications. The bill directly affects current and prospective college students who must submit their FAFSA forms to receive government funding for education. By centralizing this verification process, the legislation aims to streamline how student eligibility is determined and ensure that only eligible individuals receive federal aid.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill streamlines FAFSA verification to improve access to federal student aid, enhancing educational access for K-12 and higher education students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Apr 16, 2026

HR 8351: Clean Slate through Repayment Act of 2026

This bill, titled the "Clean Slate through Repayment Act of 2026," establishes a process for individuals who have defaulted on federal student loans. It mandates that if a borrower fully repays the entire amount due on their defaulted federal student loan, the Secretary of Education, a guaranty agency, or the loan holder must request the removal of the default. This request is sent to any consumer reporting agency that was informed of the default. Consequently, the default and any related adverse information would be removed from the borrower's credit history.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill helps remove barriers to higher education by allowing defaulted student loan borrowers to clear defaults through repayment, improving access to education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Apr 16, 2026

HR 8356: Clean Slate through Consolidation Act

This bill, titled the Clean Slate through Consolidation Act, amends the Higher Education Act of 1965. It directly affects federal student loan borrowers who have previously defaulted on their loans. The bill mandates that if such a borrower obtains a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan that resolves their defaulted loan, the loan holder must request that consumer reporting agencies remove the record of the default from the borrower's credit history. This provision ensures that the default is no longer reported on credit reports once the underlying defaulted federal student loan is consolidated.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes default records from credit history, improving access to future education financing for students.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 15, 2026

S 4297: Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act

This bill, titled the "Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act," repeals two sections of the Internal Revenue Code. It eliminates Section 25F, which provides a tax credit for contributions made to scholarship granting organizations. Additionally, the bill repeals Section 139K, which allows certain educational assistance to be excluded from an individual's gross income. These changes primarily affect taxpayers who currently claim these credits or exclusions, and organizations involved in scholarship grants or providing educational assistance. The amendments generally take effect for taxable years ending after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill closes tax loopholes by repealing tax credits and exclusions for scholarship organizations, keeping public funds in public schools and promoting fiscal responsibility.85% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill repeals tax provisions that fund scholarship programs and educational assistance, effectively reducing resources available for education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice School Funding Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Apr 14, 2026

HR 8279: To expand the definition of institution of higher education in the Higher Education Act of 1965 with respect to certain graduate medical schools located outside of the United States.

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand the definition of "institution of higher education" for certain graduate medical schools located outside the United States. This change affects these foreign medical schools and their students, potentially making more students eligible for federal student loans. The bill adds an alternative criterion for schools to qualify: they must have had a clinical training program approved by a U.S. state (requiring an on-site visit) as of January 31, 2021, and continue to operate such a program in at least one U.S. state with state approval. This is in addition to the existing criterion that at least 60% of their students and graduates are not U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands eligibility for federal student loans to foreign medical schools, increasing educational access and funding opportunities for students pursuing graduate medical education.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to medical education by allowing foreign graduate medical schools to qualify for federal student loans, potentially increasing healthcare workforce capacity.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Apr 14, 2026

HR 8263: Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act of 2026

The Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to help eligible educational entities address students' academic, social-emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health needs, including those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Administered by the Secretary of Education, the program awards funds for either implementing proven, evidence-based strategies or designing and evaluating new, educator-initiated proposals. Priority for these grants is given to entities serving high-need student populations, such as those in rural areas, low-income communities, and various disproportionately affected groups. Recipients must report annually on how funds were used and their impact on student outcomes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes federal grants to support student academic and health needs, directly funding educational initiatives and strengthening educational access.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides federal grants to address students' mental, behavioral, and physical health needs, indicating support for healthcare services in educational settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Financial Aid Student Health

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in committee · United States · House Apr 16, 2026

HR 8361: Clean Slate through Rehabilitation Act

The Clean Slate through Rehabilitation Act (HR 8361) proposes to expand the credit history relief available to student loan borrowers who successfully complete a default reduction program. The bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to change the scope of information removed from a borrower's credit history. Currently, the law states that the "record of the default" is removed; this bill would change that to "any adverse information relating to such loan." This aims to provide more comprehensive clearing of negative credit reporting for individuals who rehabilitate their defaulted student loans.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands credit relief for student loan borrowers, improving educational access and reducing financial barriers to higher education.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate May 20, 2026

SJRES 182: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program".

This joint resolution seeks to reject a specific rule issued by the Department of Education concerning the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. If passed, it would nullify the rule and prevent it from taking effect, directly impacting federal student loan policies. The measure uses a congressional disapproval process under Title 5 of the United States Code to override the department's regulatory decision. It does not create new policies but instead stops an existing proposed regulation from being implemented.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill seeks to nullify a Department of Education rule affecting federal student loans, which could restrict educational access and funding mechanisms for students.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 8246: OHH SNAP Act of 2026

This bill, known as the OHH SNAP Act of 2026, would expand eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to include more college students. It directly affects students who are working while attending college or have no financial aid available. The key changes allow students with zero financial aid and those classified as independent to qualify for SNAP benefits, while also broadening the definition of eligible work activities to include attending school. These provisions would take effect 180 days after the bill is signed into law, but would not apply to certification periods that began before that date.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands SNAP eligibility to college students, improving financial access and reducing barriers to higher education participation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Mar 24, 2026

HR 8045: Student Loan Interest Elimination Act

This bill would eliminate interest on all existing and future Federal student loans starting in 2026, directly affecting current borrowers and future students. It requires the Department of Education to automatically modify eligible Federal Direct loans to stop interest accrual and allows borrowers to refinance other Federal loans into zero-interest consolidation loans without origination fees. The legislation also creates a new Education Affordability Trust Fund that would use loan repayments to fund these interest-free loans and potentially provide additional Pell Grants, while establishing a six-member board to oversee investments in government bonds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill eliminates student loan interest, directly improving educational access and affordability for students, strengthening higher education participation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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