House Passes Bill to Combat Federal Student Aid Identity Fraud
House lawmakers vote 249-172 to require enhanced identity verification for federal student aid applications to stop fraudulent ‘ghost students.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday to address fraudulent federal student aid applications, with the measure receiving bipartisan support in a 249-172 vote.
The bill would require the U.S. Department of Education to establish an identity fraud detection system for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as FAFSA. Nearly 40 Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the GOP-led measure.
Targeting ‘Ghost Students’
The legislation addresses the issue of fraudulent “ghost students” who lawmakers say have cost taxpayers millions of dollars. These fraudsters apply for federal student aid using stolen identities, enroll in college classes, and then disappear with the funds.
Rep. Burgess Owens, the Utah Republican who sponsored the measure, said during floor debate Tuesday that his bill “builds on the good work already done by the Trump administration to protect taxpayer dollars and help safeguard the integrity of the student aid system by ensuring federal aid goes to real students.”
“The legislation takes a straightforward approach, identifies suspicious student aid applications and ensures these applications are for who they say they are before dollars go out the door,” Owens added.
Building on Existing Efforts
The measure would codify a FAFSA fraud detection tool already underway at the Education Department. The legislation comes as President Donald Trump’s administration pursues an anti-fraud effort across the federal government.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said her department was “proud” to see the House pass the bill. The Trump administration has made combating fraud a priority across various federal programs.
Senate Consideration
A similar bipartisan effort was introduced in the U.S. Senate earlier this year, suggesting potential for the legislation to advance through Congress. The Senate version indicates broader support for addressing student aid fraud beyond party lines.
The House bill specifically targets the verification process for FAFSA applications before federal aid dollars are distributed. By requiring enhanced identity verification, lawmakers hope to prevent fraudulent applications from succeeding and protect legitimate students’ access to financial aid.
The legislation represents the latest effort by Congress to strengthen oversight of federal student aid programs, which distribute billions of dollars annually to help students pay for college expenses.
