No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026

Where it stands

1. Introduced Done · Mar 12, 2026
2. Committee Done · Mar 12, 2026
3. Passed House Done · Jun 10, 2026
4. Passed Senate Not yet
5. President Not yet
6. Law Not yet

From the official actions on Congress.gov.

Key points

What it changes

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

Who it affects

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

What it costs

No cost estimate yet.

Where it stands

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Jun 11, 2026)

What happens next

The Senate would need to pass it next.

Official summary

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.)

Summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House version), via Congress.gov. These are proposed provisions, not enacted law.

Recorded votes

1. HOUSEFinal passageJun 10, 2026 · roll call 217

   On Passage: Passed (249–172)

   This vote decided whether the bill passes this chamber.
   Votes by party

   How each party voted on roll call 217

   Party	Yes	No	Present	Did not vote	Share voting Yes
   Democratic	36	172	0	4
   Republican	212	0	0	6
   Independent	1	0	0	0

   Party totals from the official roll call.

   Office of the Clerk, U.S. House ↗ — includes how every member voted

Vote types come from the official question text. How we label votes

Legislative history

1. Jun 11, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
2. Jun 10, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3. Jun 10, 2026On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 249 - 172 (Roll no. 217).
4. Jun 10, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 249 - 172 (Roll no. 217).
5. Jun 10, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4076-4077)
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.
7. Jun 9, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
8. Jun 9, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 7892.
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.
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)
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.
12. May 26, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 583.
13. May 26, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-669.
14. May 26, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-669.
15. Mar 17, 2026Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 3.
16. Mar 17, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
17. Mar 12, 2026Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
18. Mar 12, 2026Introduced in House
19. Mar 12, 2026Introduced in House