United States 116th Congress Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

S 1346 — Simplifying Financial Aid for Students Act of 2019

Last action — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Simplifying Financial Aid for Students Act of 2019 This bill revises the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process and modifies federal student aid eligibility for certain students. Among other things, the bill revises FAFSA to remove certain questions such as those regarding a student's criminal history, Selective Service registration, and combat pay information; make it available to complete on a mobile device; consolidate questions regarding a student's homeless status; allow a student to automatically populate such form using data available from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); provide forms in the most common languages spoken at home in the United States; and allow a student to complete FAFSA as an independent student under special circumstances. The bill also modifies the student eligibility criteria for federal student financial aid to deem a student eligible for a determination of a zero expected family contribution under certain circumstances, such as when a dependent student's parent participated in a means-tested benefits program (e.g., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Medicaid); revise the simplified needs-analysis formula; remove drug conviction and Selective Service registration provisions; and make Dreamer students (i.e., students who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status) eligible for federal financial aid. Additionally, the IRS must disclose certain tax return information to the Department of Education (ED) for the purpose of administering financial aid and loan programs. The bill also authorizes ED to carry out an early federal Pell Grant commitment program.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

10 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill changes the terminology and processes related to federal financial aid eligibility, including the introduction of a student aid index and adjustments to data requirements for applications.

  • 20 U.S.C. 1090

    (13) Evaluation of early estimate tools.--Not later than the award year beginning July 1, 2020, the Secretary shall-- (A) evaluate any early estimate tools authorized under paragraph (9); and (B) identify and implement opportunities to streamline those tools to align with the provisions under part F.

    Adds a requirement for the Secretary to evaluate and streamline early estimate tools for financial aid.

  • 20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.

    an expected family contribution → a student aid index

    Changes the term 'expected family contribution' to 'student aid index' throughout the Act.

  • 20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.

    expected family contributions → student aid indexes

    Changes the plural term from 'expected family contributions' to 'student aid indexes'.

  • 20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.

    family contribution → student aid index

    Replaces 'family contribution' with 'student aid index' to standardize terminology.

  • 20 U.S.C. 1087kk

    (b) Negative Student Aid Index.--For purposes of determining eligibility for Federal financial aid under this part, any negative student aid index shall be treated as zero.

    Specifies how negative student aid indexes will be treated in financial aid determination.

  • 20 U.S.C. 1087mm

    Student Aid Index Equal to or Less Than Zero

    Introduces a new heading to redefine conditions under which a student aid index is considered.

  • 20 U.S.C. 1087mm

    (3) Recipients of certain means-tested benefits.--

    Creates criteria for students who receive means-tested benefits to have eligibility considerations.

  • 20 U.S.C. 1087ss

    The Secretary shall develop and use a simplified version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form.

    Mandates the development of a simplified aid application form to streamline the process.

  • 20 U.S.C. 1087ss

    The simplified version shall-- (A) in the case of a family meeting the requirements of subsection (b)(1), permit such family to submit only the data elements required.

    Reduces data requirements for families qualifying under specific conditions when applying for aid.

  • 20 U.S.C. 1087ss

    and to submit only the data elements required to make a determination under subsection (c).

    Further simplifies the application process for families qualifying under a separate condition.

Action History

  1. Introduced in Senate

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

finance education
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Frequently asked questions

What does S 1346 do?
Simplifying Financial Aid for Students Act of 2019 This bill revises the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process and modifies federal student aid eligibility for certain students. Among other things, the bill revises FAFSA to remove certain questions such as those regarding a student's criminal history, Selective Service registration, and combat pay information; make it available to complete on a mobile device; consolidate questions regarding a student's homeless status; allow a student to automatically populate such form using data available from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); provide forms in the most common languages spoken at home in the United States; and allow a student to complete FAFSA as an independent student under special circumstances. The bill also modifies the student eligibility criteria for federal student financial aid to deem a student eligible for a determination of a zero expected family contribution under certain circumstances, such as when a dependent student's parent participated in a means-tested benefits program (e.g., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Medicaid); revise the simplified needs-analysis formula; remove drug conviction and Selective Service registration provisions; and make Dreamer students (i.e., students who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status) eligible for federal financial aid. Additionally, the IRS must disclose certain tax return information to the Department of Education (ED) for the purpose of administering financial aid and loan programs. The bill also authorizes ED to carry out an early federal Pell Grant commitment program.
Who sponsors S 1346?
S 1346 is sponsored by Booker, Cory A. (Democratic).
What is the current status of S 1346?
This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track S 1346?
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