H.R. 7892 Passed the House Education

No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require to the Secretary of Education to use an identity fraud detection system to review each FAFSA to determine whether the FAFSA presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4] Introduced March 12, 2026 Cosponsors 4 (3 R, 1 I) Latest action June 11, 2026

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.)

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Roll-call votes

Actions

  1. Jun 11, 2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  2. Jun 10, 2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Jun 10, 2026 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 249 - 172 (Roll no. 217).
  4. Jun 10, 2026 Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 249 - 172 (Roll no. 217).
  5. Jun 10, 2026 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4076-4077)
  6. Jun 9, 2026 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.
  7. Jun 9, 2026 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  8. Jun 9, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 7892.
  9. Jun 9, 2026 Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
  10. Jun 9, 2026 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1333. (consideration: CR H4037-4044; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4037-4038)
  11. Jun 3, 2026 Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1333 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
  12. May 26, 2026 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 583.

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