LEGISLATION/H.R. 7892

No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026

119-HR-7892119th CongressIntroduced Mar 12, 2026Education

Market Probability

No market

Status

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Other Chamber

Signed

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sponsor

Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4](R-UT-4)

4 cosponsors

Summary

No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026

This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish an identity fraud detection system for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Beginning on October 1, 2026, ED must use an identity fraud detection system to review each submitted application to determine whether the applicant presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud. If ED makes such a determination, it must notify the applicant and each institution of higher education (IHE) designated on the application that the applicant is subject to additional identity verification.

An IHE may not disburse federal financial aid to an applicant that presents a reasonable suspicion of fraud unless the IHE verifies the applicant's identity in person or by live video. If the applicant's identity is confirmed, the IHE must notify ED that the applicant's identity has been verified.

ED must establish guidelines for the identity verification procedures conducted by IHEs.

(On April 26, 2026, ED began implementing a real-time identity fraud detection process within the FAFSA form that places applicants into one of four risk categories. High-risk applicants must confirm their identity by presenting documentation during the online application process, including via a live camera process. Applicants who are rejected via this automated process must then have their identity verified in person by IHEs.)

Subjects

Computer security and identity theftComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightGovernment lending and loan guaranteesHigher educationStudent aid and college costs

Actions (19)

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Jun 11, 2026Senate

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Jun 10, 2026House floor actions

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 249 - 172 (Roll no. 217).

Jun 10, 2026House floor actionsRECORDED VOTE

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 249 - 172 (Roll no. 217).

Jun 10, 2026Library of CongressRECORDED VOTE

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4076-4077)

Jun 10, 2026House floor actions

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 7892, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Scott (VA) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.