Only the right has signed this so far (Bill Ranking)
H.R. 7892 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)
5 members · Left 0 · Center 1 · Right 4 (Bill Ranking)
| Sponsor | Rep. Owens, Burgess (R-UT) (Introduced 03/12/2026) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Voting Record | Lean right · DW-NOMINATE +0.45 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking) |
| Support |
LLLCLRR support across the spectrum: 5 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once |
| Committees | Senate - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; House - Education and Workforce Committee; House - Education and Workforce Committee; House - Education and Workforce Committee |
| Latest Action | 06/11/2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. |
| Roll Call Votes | 1 |
| Source | view on congress.gov → |
Reported to House (05/26/2026)
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.)
119 HR 7892 EH: No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 U.S. House of Representatives 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 AN ACT 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 titleThis Act may be cited as the No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026.
2.Identity fraud detection system (a)Identity fraud detection systemSection 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 generalIn addition to, or in conjunction with, other verification processes carried out under this title, the Secretary shall— (A)use an identity fraud detection system to screen and assess each application submitted under this section on or after October 1, 2026, to determine whether the application presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud based on one or more indicators associated with suspected fraud risk; and (B)carry out notifications in accordance with paragraph (2). (2)Notification of reasonable suspicion of identity fraudIf 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; (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)(B); 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 additional 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)NoticesThe 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 reportNot 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. (4)Rule of constructionNothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the Secretary from meeting the requirements of paragraph (1), in whole or in part, through a capability or system used by the Secretary on or before the date of enactment of the No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026.. (b)Additional verification requirements (1)AmendmentsSection 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 with an application under section 483 that presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud under section 483(e), unless the institution, directly or through a contracted third-party service provider and in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary— (i)before the disbursement of such aid— (I)determines that a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud is not present by confirming the identity of such applicant using— (aa)in-person identity verification; (bb)live, synchronous audiovisual identity verification; (cc)identity verification compliant with National Institute of Standards and Technology Identity Assurance Level 2 (NIST IAL2), or an equivalent successor; (dd)any additional identity verification method approved by the Secretary that provides a level of identity assurance that is equal to or greater than the level of assurance provided by an identify verification method described in items (aa) through (cc); or (ee)a combination of two or more of the verification methods described in items (aa) through (dd); and (II)notifies the Secretary that the identity of the applicant has been verified; and (ii)maintains a record of such identity verification.. (2)Guidelines on institutional verification proceduresNot 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).
3.Program review priority categorySection 498A(a)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099c–1(a)(2)) is amended— (1)in subparagraph (E), by striking and at the end; (2)by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (G); and (3)by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following: (F)institutions that have demonstrated a pattern of disbursing, on or after October 1, 2026, Federal financial aid under this title for an award year to students with an application under section 483 for such award year that presented a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud under section 483(e), except that the Secretary shall exclude any institution that demonstrates to the Secretary that the institution is in compliance with the requirements of section 487(a)(15)(B); and. Passed the House of Representatives June 10, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
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. I119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 7892IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 12, 2026Mr. Owens introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and WorkforceA BILLTo 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 titleThis Act may be cited as the No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026.2.Identity fraud detection system(a)Identity fraud detection systemSection 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 generalIn 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 fraudIf 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)NoticesThe 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 reportNot 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)AmendmentSection 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 proceduresNot 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).
119 HR 7892 : No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 U.S. House of Representatives 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. IIB 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7892
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 11, 2026 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions AN ACT 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 titleThis Act may be cited as the No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026.
2.Identity fraud detection system (a)Identity fraud detection systemSection 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 generalIn addition to, or in conjunction with, other verification processes carried out under this title, the Secretary shall— (A)use an identity fraud detection system to screen and assess each application submitted under this section on or after October 1, 2026, to determine whether the application presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud based on one or more indicators associated with suspected fraud risk; and (B)carry out notifications in accordance with paragraph (2). (2)Notification of reasonable suspicion of identity fraudIf 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; (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)(B); 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 additional 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)NoticesThe 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 reportNot 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. (4)Rule of constructionNothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the Secretary from meeting the requirements of paragraph (1), in whole or in part, through a capability or system used by the Secretary on or before the date of enactment of the No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026.. (b)Additional verification requirements (1)AmendmentsSection 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 with an application under section 483 that presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud under section 483(e), unless the institution, directly or through a contracted third-party service provider and in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary— (i)before the disbursement of such aid— (I)determines that a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud is not present by confirming the identity of such applicant using— (aa)in-person identity verification; (bb)live, synchronous audiovisual identity verification; (cc)identity verification compliant with National Institute of Standards and Technology Identity Assurance Level 2 (NIST IAL2), or an equivalent successor; (dd)any additional identity verification method approved by the Secretary that provides a level of identity assurance that is equal to or greater than the level of assurance provided by an identify verification method described in items (aa) through (cc); or (ee)a combination of two or more of the verification methods described in items (aa) through (dd); and (II)notifies the Secretary that the identity of the applicant has been verified; and (ii)maintains a record of such identity verification.. (2)Guidelines on institutional verification proceduresNot 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).
3.Program review priority categorySection 498A(a)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099c–1(a)(2)) is amended— (1)in subparagraph (E), by striking and at the end; (2)by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (G); and (3)by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following: (F)institutions that have demonstrated a pattern of disbursing, on or after October 1, 2026, Federal financial aid under this title for an award year to students with an application under section 483 for such award year that presented a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud under section 483(e), except that the Secretary shall exclude any institution that demonstrates to the Secretary that the institution is in compliance with the requirements of section 487(a)(15)(B); and. Passed the House of Representatives June 10, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 7892 RH: No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 U.S. House of Representatives 2026-05-26 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. IBUnion Calendar No. 583119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 7892[Report No. 119–669]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 12, 2026Mr. Owens introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and WorkforceMay 26, 2026Additional sponsors: Mr. Kiley of California, Mr. Grothman, Ms. Foxx, and Mr. ObernolteMay 26, 2026Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 12, 2026A BILLTo 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 titleThis Act may be cited as the No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026.2.Identity fraud detection system(a)Identity fraud detection systemSection 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 generalIn 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 fraudIf 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)NoticesThe 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 reportNot 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)AmendmentsSection 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)Guidelines on institutional verification proceduresNot 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).May 26, 2026Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.
| Date | Chamber | All Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 03/12/2026 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 03/12/2026 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 03/12/2026 | House floor actions | Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. |
| 03/17/2026 | House committee actions | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| 03/17/2026 | House committee actions | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 3. |
| 05/26/2026 | Library of Congress | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-669. |
| 05/26/2026 | House floor actions | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-669. |
| 05/26/2026 | House floor actions | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 583. |
| 06/03/2026 | House floor actions | 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. |
| 06/09/2026 | House floor actions | 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) |
| 06/09/2026 | House floor actions | 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. |
| 06/09/2026 | House floor actions | DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 7892. |
| 06/09/2026 | House floor actions | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. |
| 06/09/2026 | House 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. |
| 06/10/2026 | House floor actions | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4076-4077) |
| 06/10/2026 | Library of Congress | Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 249 - 172 (Roll no. 217). |
| 06/10/2026 | House floor actions | On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 249 - 172 (Roll no. 217). |
| 06/10/2026 | House floor actions | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 06/11/2026 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. |
| Title Type | Title |
|---|---|
| Display Title | No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 |
| Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill text | No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 |
| Short Title(s) as Passed House | No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 |
| Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill text | 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. |
| Short Title(s) as Reported to House | No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 |
| Short Title(s) as Introduced | No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 |
| Official Title as Introduced | 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. |
| Amendment | Sponsor | Purpose | Latest Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAMDT 227 | 06/09/2026 On agreeing to the Rules amendment (A001) Agreed to without objection. |
* = Original cosponsor
| Committee | Activity |
|---|---|
| Senate - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee | 06/11/2026 Referred To |
| House - Education and Workforce Committee | 05/26/2026 Reported By |
| House - Education and Workforce Committee | 03/17/2026 Markup By |
| House - Education and Workforce Committee | 03/12/2026 Referred To |
Policy Area: Education
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