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Bill114th CongressFiled Jun 20, 2016Education
H.R. 5528

Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Jul 11, 2016)

Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education (ED) to use tax information from the second preceding tax year (the "prior, prior year") to determine a student's financial aid eligibility. It requires data sharing between ED and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), pursuant to taxpayer consent.

(Sec. 3) The bill revises the annual adjustment percentage calculation used to determine the total maximum Federal Pell Grant award by measuring inflation over the most recent fiscal year instead of calendar year.

(Sec. 4) ED must develop and maintain a consumer-tested technology tool to allow a federal financial aid applicant to complete, save, and submit electronic forms (e.g., the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) using a mobile device.

Additionally, ED must make every effort to allow applicants to utilize the existing IRS data tool to automatically populate the electronic forms with tax return information.

ED must report to Congress on: (1) efforts to simplify the federal financial aid application process, and (2) the needs of limited English proficient students.

What just happenedJul 12, 2016

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Heck, Joseph J. [R-NV-3](R-NV)Sponsor
16 cosponsors11 D5 R
Read on Congress.gov
16cosponsors2committees15actions6subjects
  1. Jul 12, 2016IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

    Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
  2. Jul 11, 2016FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Jul 11, 2016FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4611)

  4. Jul 11, 2016Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4611)

  5. Jul 11, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5528.

  6. Jul 11, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4611-4613)

  7. Jul 11, 2016FloorH30300

    Mr. Heck (NV) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  8. Jul 11, 2016CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 526.

  9. Jul 11, 2016CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 114-678.

    Education and the Workforce Committee
  10. Jul 11, 2016Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 114-678.

    Education and the Workforce Committee
  11. Jun 22, 2016Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Education and the Workforce Committee
  12. Jun 22, 2016Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Education and the Workforce Committee
  13. Jun 20, 2016IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

    Education and the Workforce Committee
  14. Jun 20, 2016IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  15. Jun 20, 2016IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedJul 11, 201636

Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education (ED) to use tax information from the second preceding tax year (the "prior, prior year") to determine a student's financial aid eligibility. It requires data sharing between ED and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), pursuant to taxpayer consent.

(Sec. 3) The bill revises the annual adjustment percentage calculation used to determine the total maximum Federal Pell Grant award by measuring inflation over the most recent fiscal year instead of calendar year.

(Sec. 4) ED must develop and maintain a consumer-tested technology tool to allow a federal financial aid applicant to complete, save, and submit electronic forms (e.g., the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) using a mobile device.

Additionally, ED must make every effort to allow applicants to utilize the existing IRS data tool to automatically populate the electronic forms with tax return information.

ED must report to Congress on: (1) efforts to simplify the federal financial aid application process, and (2) the needs of limited English proficient students.

Introduced in HouseJun 20, 2016

Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education (ED) to use tax information from the second preceding tax year (the "prior, prior year") to determine a student's financial aid eligibility. It requires data sharing between ED and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), pursuant to taxpayer consent.

The bill revises the annual adjustment percentage calculation used to determine the total maximum Federal Pell Grant award by measuring inflation over the most recent fiscal year instead of calendar year.

ED must develop and maintain a consumer-tested technology tool to allow a federal financial aid applicant to complete and submit electronic forms (e.g., the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) using a mobile device. Additionally, ED must make every effort to use IRS data to automatically populate the electronic forms with tax return information.

Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act — Informed