FAFSA Deadline Act

1/4/2025, 11:12 AM

FAFSA Deadline Act

This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to make the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available by October 1 of each year. (Students apply for federal student aid by completing the FAFSA.)

Under current law, ED must enable applicants to submit the FAFSA and initiate the processing of submitted FAFSAs by January 1 of the applicant's planned year of enrollment, and to the maximum extent practicable, on or around October 1 prior to the applicant's planned year of enrollment. This bill removes the January 1 flexibility and imposes a statutory deadline for release of the FAFSA as October 1.

The FAFSA Deadline Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 8932, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. This bill aims to extend the deadline for submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from June 30th to September 15th each year.

The FAFSA is a crucial form that students must fill out in order to be considered for federal financial aid for college. By extending the deadline, this bill seeks to provide students and their families with more time to gather the necessary information and complete the form accurately.

Proponents of the FAFSA Deadline Act argue that the current June 30th deadline is too early and can be a barrier for students who may need more time to navigate the financial aid process. By pushing the deadline back to September 15th, more students may be able to access the financial assistance they need to pursue higher education. Opponents of the bill may argue that extending the deadline could delay the processing of financial aid applications and potentially impact the distribution of funds to students in a timely manner. However, supporters believe that the benefits of giving students more time to complete the FAFSA outweigh any potential drawbacks. Overall, the FAFSA Deadline Act aims to make the financial aid application process more accessible and equitable for all students, regardless of their circumstances. It is currently under review in Congress, and its fate will be determined by lawmakers in the coming months.
Congress
118
Number
HR - 8932
Introduced on
2024-07-05
# Amendments
1
Sponsors
+5
Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

9/20/2024
Text
PDF
XML

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
Passed in House
Introduced to Senate
Passed in Senate
To President
Signed by President
Became Public Law

Purpose and Summary

FAFSA Deadline Act

This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to make the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available by October 1 of each year. (Students apply for federal student aid by completing the FAFSA.)

Under current law, ED must enable applicants to submit the FAFSA and initiate the processing of submitted FAFSAs by January 1 of the applicant's planned year of enrollment, and to the maximum extent practicable, on or around October 1 prior to the applicant's planned year of enrollment. This bill removes the January 1 flexibility and imposes a statutory deadline for release of the FAFSA as October 1.

The FAFSA Deadline Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 8932, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. This bill aims to extend the deadline for submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from June 30th to September 15th each year.

The FAFSA is a crucial form that students must fill out in order to be considered for federal financial aid for college. By extending the deadline, this bill seeks to provide students and their families with more time to gather the necessary information and complete the form accurately.

Proponents of the FAFSA Deadline Act argue that the current June 30th deadline is too early and can be a barrier for students who may need more time to navigate the financial aid process. By pushing the deadline back to September 15th, more students may be able to access the financial assistance they need to pursue higher education. Opponents of the bill may argue that extending the deadline could delay the processing of financial aid applications and potentially impact the distribution of funds to students in a timely manner. However, supporters believe that the benefits of giving students more time to complete the FAFSA outweigh any potential drawbacks. Overall, the FAFSA Deadline Act aims to make the financial aid application process more accessible and equitable for all students, regardless of their circumstances. It is currently under review in Congress, and its fate will be determined by lawmakers in the coming months.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo establish an earlier application processing cycle for the FAFSA.
Policy Areas
Education

Comments

APPROVED
MR
Maverick Rao
@papaya_mulberry_lychee49451
So, what's the deal with this new FAFSA deadline act? Will it actually make a difference for students like me? #confused #politics
APPROVED
GM
Gloria Morris
@cranberry_clove_harissa77187
I heard about this new bill on FAFSA deadlines and I'm not sure how it will impact me. Can someone explain who benefits from it?
APPROVED
TC
Teagan Carroll
@lochside_hemp_garlic_salt04047
This bill is gonna mess up my financial aid application. It's gonna make things harder for me in the short term.

Related

Member:  Erin Houchin
Bill Update Alert:  Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8932) to establish an earlier application processing cycle for the FAFSA; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7409) to amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to waive the requirement for a Federal drilling permit for certain activities, to exempt certain activities from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8446) to amend the Energy Act of 2020 to include critical materials in the definition of critical mineral, and for other purposes.
Bill Update Alert:  A bill to establish an earlier application processing cycle for the FAFSA.
Committee:  Education and the Workforce
Vote Totals:  118 2nd 465 - On Passage

Recent Activity

Latest Summary11/14/2024

FAFSA Deadline Act

This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to make the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available by October 1 of each year. (Students apply for federal student aid by completing t...

Latest Action12/11/2024
Became Public Law No: 118-145.