Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act

Bill: 114-hr-5528
Sponsor: Rep. Heck, Joseph J. [R-NV-3]
Introduced: 2016-06-20 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Government information and archives
Higher education
Inflation and prices
Student aid and college costs
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-20
text: 

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. 

action_date: 2016-07-11
text: 

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. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-07-12
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4611)
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: 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)
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5528.
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4611-4613)
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: Mr. Heck (NV) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 526.
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 114-678.
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 114-678.
action_date: 2016-06-22
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2016-06-22
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-06-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2016-06-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-06-20
text: Introduced in House