WASHINGTON — A measure to ensure federal student aid opens annually by Oct. 1 passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday with overwhelming bipartisan support.
The effort – which passed 381-1 – came after the U.S. Department of Education faced major backlash over its botched rollout of the 2024-2025 program Free Application for Federal Student Aidor FAFSA. The only lawmaker to vote against the bill was California Republican Zoe Lofgren.
Although the form underwent a makeover after Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act in behind schedule 2020, users encountered numerous glitches and technical errors during the form’s tender launch in December and after its full debut in January, resulting in processing delays and gaps in submissions.
The department worked to correct these errors and fill this gap, while fixing the main problems that prevented parents without a Social Security number from completing the form.
Adding another complication, the department said in August would implement a phased rollout of the form for 2025-2026 in an attempt to eliminate any errors that may arise before the form becomes available to everyone, making the application fully available two months later than usual.
Codified term
Although by law the department has until January 1 to implement the form, it typically begins on October 1.
U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin, an Indiana Republican and member of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, in July presented the bill standardize this term.
“I am especially frustrated given that the Department of Education has had three years to simplify the FAFSA as directed by Congress,” Houchin said during Friday’s floor debate.
She too referred to the latest findings from the Government Accountability Office, including the fact that almost three-quarters of all calls to the call center went unanswered in the first five months of the 2024-2025 rollout.
“We want this program to work – we want to make sure that children and families who want to send their children to college have the opportunity to do so and that the FAFSA is accessible and feasible,” she added.
U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, a member of the House education panel, reaffirmed his support during floor debate, saying the measure “will lend a hand ensure that even more students receive the information they need more quickly to access Pell Grants and other essential lend a hand for students.
Scott initially opposed the effort when the commission took it up in July, out of concern that the implementation deadline could force the department to submit an incomplete form on Oct. 1 of this year.
“However, because we are considering the bill after October 1, the deadline will be next year, 2025, and that gives the department enough time to make improvements and fix any lingering problems,” the Virginia Democrat said.
US Senator Bill Cassidy, Republican from Louisiana, introduced an accompanying act in July.
The bill was referred to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, where Cassidy serves as ranking member. After Republicans won the Senate majority in the November 5 elections, Cassidy is in line chair the panel next year.
Last updated at 1:36 PM, November 15, 2024
