WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 7892 · 119th Congress

No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026

Passed HouseEducation
IntroducedMar 12, 2026
Passed HouseJun 10, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Jun 11, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The House passed it 249–172. It would change 3 sections of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 7892 would change 3 sections of existing law. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Jun 11, 2026).

20 U.S.C. 1090

20 U.S.C. 1094 Program participation agreements

  • (a) Required for programs of assistance; contents added to · Sec. 2(b) · see the words

20 U.S.C. 1099c-1 Program review and data

  • (a) General authority added to · Sec. 3(1), Sec. 3(2), Sec. 3(3) · see the words
What the words would change: every change, in place (6)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 20 U.S.C. 1090a new sectionadded (e)by H.R. 7892 Sec. 2(a)

    (e) Identity fraud detection system.—(1) In general.— In addition to, or in conjunction with, other verification processes carried out under this title, the Secretary shall—(A) use an identity fraud detection system to screen and assess each application submitted under this section on or after October 1, 2026, to determine whether the application presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud based on one or more indicators associated with suspected fraud risk; and(B) carry out notifications in accordance with paragraph (2).(2) Notification of reasonable suspicion of identity fraud.— If the Secretary determines that an application submitted under this section presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud, the Secretary shall—(A) provide the applicant with notice—(i) of such determination;(ii) that the information described in subparagraph (B) will be transmitted to each institution of higher education designated by the applicant in the application; and(iii) that the applicant is subject to additional identity verification requirements in accordance with section 487(a)(15)(B); and(B) transmit to each institution designated by the applicant in the application, a notice—(i) that such application presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud; and(ii) that the applicant is subject to additional identity verification requirements to be carried out by the institution in accordance with section 487(a)(15)(B), before the institution may disburse Federal financial aid under this title to such applicant.(3) Congressional notices and report.—(A) Notices.— The Secretary shall submit to the authorizing committees—(i) not later than November 1, 2026, a written description of the identity fraud detection system required under this subsection; and(ii) not later than 30 days after implementing any substantial change to such system, a written description and rationale for such change.(B) Annual evaluation and report.— Not later than October 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of the identity fraud detection system carried out under this subsection, and submit to the authorizing committees a report on the use and effectiveness of such system.(4) Rule of construction.— Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the Secretary from meeting the requirements of paragraph (1), in whole or in part, through a capability or system used by the Secretary on or before the date of enactment of the No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026.

    The bill says: Section 483 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090) is amended by adding at the end the following:

    Bill text

  2. 20 U.S.C. 1094(a)(15)changedby H.R. 7892 Sec. 2(b)

    (15) The institution acknowledges(15)(A) The institution acknowledges the authority of the Secretary, guaranty agencies, lenders, accrediting agencies, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the State agencies under subpart 1 of part H to share with each other any information pertaining to the institution's eligibility to participate in programs under this subchapter or any information on fraud and abuse.

    The bill says: by striking "(15) The institution acknowledges" and inserting "(15)(A) The institution acknowledges"; and

    Bill text · Current law (20 U.S.C. 1094)

  3. 20 U.S.C. 1094(a)(15)added (B)by H.R. 7892 Sec. 2(b)

    (B) Beginning on October 1, 2026, the institution will not disburse Federal financial aid under this title to an applicant with an application under section 483 that presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud under section 483(e), unless the institution, directly or through a contracted third-party service provider and in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary—(i) before the disbursement of such aid—(I) determines that a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud is not present by confirming the identity of such applicant using—(aa) in-person identity verification;(bb) live, synchronous audiovisual identity verification;(cc) identity verification compliant with National Institute of Standards and Technology Identity Assurance Level 2 (NIST IAL2), or an equivalent successor;(dd) any additional identity verification method approved by the Secretary that provides a level of identity assurance that is equal to or greater than the level of assurance provided by an identify verification method described in items (aa) through (cc); or(ee) a combination of two or more of the verification methods described in items (aa) through (dd); and(II) notifies the Secretary that the identity of the applicant has been verified; and(ii) maintains a record of such identity verification.

    The bill says: by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

    Bill text · Current law (20 U.S.C. 1094)

  4. 20 U.S.C. 1099c-1(a)(2)(E)changedby H.R. 7892 Sec. 3(1)

    (E) institutions with high annual dropout rates; and

    The bill says: in subparagraph (E), by striking "and" at the end;

    Bill text · Current law (20 U.S.C. 1099c-1)

  5. 20 U.S.C. 1099c-1(a)(2)renumberedby H.R. 7892 Sec. 3(2)

    The bill says: by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (G); and

    Bill text · Current law (20 U.S.C. 1099c-1)

  6. 20 U.S.C. 1099c-1(a)(2)added (F)by H.R. 7892 Sec. 3(3)

    (F) institutions that have demonstrated a pattern of disbursing, on or after October 1, 2026, Federal financial aid under this title for an award year to students with an application under section 483 for such award year that presented a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud under section 483(e), except that the Secretary shall exclude any institution that demonstrates to the Secretary that the institution is in compliance with the requirements of section 487(a)(15)(B); and

    The bill says: by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:

    Bill text · Current law (20 U.S.C. 1099c-1)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026

This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish an identity fraud detection system for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Beginning on October 1, 2026, ED must use an identity fraud detection system to review each submitted application to determine whether the applicant presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud. If ED makes such a determination, it must notify the applicant and each institution of higher education (IHE) designated on the application that the applicant is subject to additional identity verification.

An IHE may not disburse federal financial aid to an applicant that presents a reasonable suspicion of fraud unless the IHE verifies the applicant's identity in person or by live video. If the applicant's identity is confirmed, the IHE must notify ED that the applicant's identity has been verified.

ED must establish guidelines for the identity verification procedures conducted by IHEs.

(On April 26, 2026, ED began implementing a real-time identity fraud detection process within the FAFSA form that places applicants into one of four risk categories. High-risk applicants must confirm their identity by presenting documentation during the online application process, including via a live camera process. Applicants who are rejected via this automated process must then have their identity verified in person by IHEs.)

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, May 26, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

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  1. Jun 11, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.Senate
  2. Jun 10, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Jun 10, 2026On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 249 - 172 (Roll no. 217). Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  4. Jun 10, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 249 - 172 (Roll no. 217). Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  5. Jun 10, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4076-4077)House floor actions
  6. Jun 9, 2026POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 7892, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Scott (VA) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
  7. Jun 9, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  8. Jun 9, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 7892.House floor actions
  9. Jun 9, 2026Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.House floor actions
  10. Jun 9, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1333. (consideration: CR H4037-4044; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4037-4038)House floor actions
  11. Jun 3, 2026Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1333 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.House floor actions
  12. May 26, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 583.House floor actions
  13. May 26, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-669.House floor actions
  14. May 26, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-669.Library of Congress
  15. Mar 17, 2026Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 3.House committee actions
  16. Mar 17, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  17. Mar 12, 2026Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.House floor actions
  18. Mar 12, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  19. Mar 12, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Jun 10, 2026 · HousePassed 249–172
    On Passage · needed a majority
    R 212 yes, 0 noI 1 yes, 0 noD 36 yes, 172 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Virginia Foxx R-NC-5
  • Glenn Grothman R-WI-6
  • Kevin Kiley I-CA-3
  • Jay Obernolte R-CA-23