What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
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.)
Vote Breakdown · How Congress voted on HR.7892
House
249-172
PASSED
Independents
249 yea
172 nay
⚠️ 12 members broke with party on this vote
Action Timeline
2026-06-11
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
2026-06-10
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-06-10
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 249 - 172 (Roll no. 217).
2026-06-10
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 249 - 172 (Roll no. 217).
2026-06-10
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4076-4077)
2026-06-09
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 furth
2026-06-09
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2026-06-09
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 7892.
2026-06-09
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 g
2026-06-09
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)
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.7892 pass?
HR.7892 is still alive. Current stage: PASSED_ONE. Pass likelihood: pending.
What does HR.7892 do?
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 verificatio…
Who sponsored HR.7892?
HR.7892 was sponsored by Burgess Owens (R-Utah).
Who voted against HR.7892?
12 members broke with their party on this vote.
Full Bill Text
119 HR 7892 IH: No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 U.S. House of Representatives 2026-03-12 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7892 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 12, 2026 Mr. Owens introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce A BILL 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. Short title This Act may be cited as the No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 . 2. Identity fraud detection system (a) Identity fraud detection system Section 483 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1090 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (e) Identity fraud detection system (1) In general In addition to or in conjunction with other verification processes carried out under this title, the Secretary shall use an identity fraud detection system to review each application submitted under this section on or after October 1, 2026, to determine whether the application presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud. If the Secretary determines that such an application presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud, the Secretary shall carry out notifications in accordance with paragraph (2) . (2) Notification of reasonable suspicion of identity fraud If the Secretary determines that an application submitted under this section presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud, the Secretary shall— (A) provide the applicant with notice— (i) of such determination and the basis for such determination; (ii) that the information described in subparagraph (B) will be transmitted to each institution of higher education designated by the applicant in the application; and (iii) that the applicant is subject to additional identity verification requirements in accordance with section 487(a)(15); and (B) transmit to each institution designated by the applicant in the application, a notice— (i) that such application presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud; and (ii) that the applicant is subject to identity verification requirements to be carried out by the institution in accordance with section 487(a)(15)(B), before the institution may disburse Federal financial aid under this title to such applicant. (3) Congressional notices and report (A) Notices The Secretary shall submit to the authorizing committees— (i) not later than November 1, 2026, a written description of the identity fraud detection system required under this subsection; and (ii) not later than 30 days after implementing any substantial change to such system, a written description and rationale for such change. (B) Annual evaluation and report Not later than October 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of the identity fraud detection system carried out under this subsection, and submit to the authorizing committees a report on the use and effectiveness of such system. . (b) Additional verification requirements (1) Amendment Section 487(a)(15) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1094(a)(15) ) is amended— (A) by striking (15) The institution acknowledges and inserting (15) (A) The institution acknowledges ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (B) Beginning on October 1, 2026, the institution will not disburse Federal financial aid under this title to an applicant whose application under section 483 presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud under section 483(e), unless the institution, in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary— (i) determines that a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud is not present by confirming the identity of such applicant using in-person verification or live, synchronous audiovisual verification; (ii) notifies the Secretary that the identity of the applicant has been verified; and (iii) maintains a record of such identity verification. . (2) Institutional verification procedures Not later than October 1, 2026, the Secretary of Education shall establish guidelines with respect to identity verification procedures to be carried out by institutions of higher education under subparagraph (B) of section 487(a)(15) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1094(a)(15) ), as amended by paragraph (1).
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