Student Aid Fraud Oversight and Accountability Act of 2026

Summary

Student Aid Fraud Oversight and Accountability Act of 2026 This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to prioritize the review of institutions of higher education (IHEs) that disburse federal student aid without verifying the identity of a student whose Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud. Specifically, the bill requires ED to identify each IHE that disburses, on or after October 1, 2026, federal financial aid for an award year to any student whose FAFSA presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud, as determined by ED's identity fraud detection system. However, the bill excludes from this identification any IHE that demonstrates to ED, for each student and before disbursing federal financial aid, that the IHE (1) verifies the student's identity in person or by live video, (2) notifies ED of the identify verification, and (3) maintains a record of such identity verification. ED may use identification information to inform program reviews, audits, investigations, and other oversight activities related to federal student aid. (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 from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

House Committee on Education and Workforce · U.S. House of Representatives

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Cosponsors

Related bills

• S. 4531Student Aid Fraud Oversight and Accountability Act of 2026Related bill

As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

1. May 26, 2026

   Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 582.

2. May 26, 2026

   Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 582.

3. May 26, 2026

   Introduced

   Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 582.

   U.S. House

4. May 26, 2026

   Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 582.

5. May 26, 2026

   Reported out of committee

   Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-668.

Read the record

• Read on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab) The official record on Congress.gov.