Congresswoman Erin Houchin’s FAFSA Deadline Act Passes House and Senate Support

Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 2:28 PM

By U.S. House of Representatives, news release

The legislation establishing a hard deadline for the application process.

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Erin Houchin’s FAFSA Deadline Act, has passed the House of Representatives with a near-unanimous bipartisan vote of 381 to 1. This legislation provides much-needed clarity for students, families, and universities by ensuring the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is released and fully operational by October 1 each year.

The current statutory “flexibility” allows the Department of Education to delay FAFSA’s release until January 1, often causing confusion for schools and families preparing for college. By establishing a hard deadline of October 1, the FAFSA Deadline Act will eliminate the uncertainty created by inconsistent rollouts, such as the challenges experienced under the Biden-Harris administration.

“The overwhelming bipartisan support this bill received reflects a shared commitment to improving the financial aid process for students and families,” said Congresswoman Houchin. “The FAFSA Deadline Act will bring clarity to a system that too often leaves families in the dark. I’m proud to lead this effort to ensure students have the tools they need to access higher education without unnecessary obstacles.”

The Senate took up the bill and passed it by unanimous consent. With passage in both chambers of Congress, the FAFSA Deadline Act now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.