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Bill > HR4245
US HR4245
HOPE (Heightening Opportunities for Pathways to Education) for FAFSA Act
summary
Introduced
09/09/2019
09/09/2019
In Committee
09/09/2019
09/09/2019
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020
12/31/2020
Introduced Session
116th Congress
Bill Summary
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reduce the complexity and length of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This bill revises the application process for a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Specifically, the Department of Education (ED) shall not require an applicant to provide income or asset information if the applicant indicates they received a federal benefit (e.g., supplemental nutrition assistance or Social Security disability) at some time during the previous 24 months. ED shall use a data retrieval tool to obtain such information for any other applicant. The bill raises to $34,000 the amount of household income below which a student shall be considered to have an expected family contribution (EFC) equal to zero. EFC is used to calculate individual financial aid awards, and an EFC of zero means that a student's family is deemed unable to contribute to educational expenses.
AI Summary
This bill, the HOPE (Heightening Opportunities for Pathways to Education) for FAFSA Act, aims to reduce the complexity and length of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The key provisions of the bill include:
1. Allowing the Department of Education (ED) to use a data retrieval tool to obtain income and asset information for FAFSA applicants who indicate they received a means-tested federal benefit (e.g., Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Social Security disability) within the previous 24 months, without requiring the applicant to provide that information directly.
2. Raising the household income threshold for an expected family contribution (EFC) of zero, which means the student's family is deemed unable to contribute to educational expenses, from $24,000 to $34,000.
3. Establishing three FAFSA application "pathways" based on the applicant's income and benefit status, with different requirements for providing financial information.
The bill aims to simplify the FAFSA process and ensure more students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, can access federal financial aid for higher education.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor. (on 09/09/2019)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/4245/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr4245/BILLS-116hr4245ih.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr4245/BILLS-116hr4245ih.pdf.pdf |
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