Pub. L. 118-145 - FAFSA Deadline Act

118th Congress

Affects: 20 U.S.C. §§ 1090

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “FAFSA Deadline Act”.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF EARLIER APPLICATION PROCESSING CYCLE.

Section 483(d)(4) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090(d)(4)) is amended by striking “not later than January 1 of the applicant’s planned year of enrollment, to the maximum extent practicable, on or around October 1 prior to the applicant’s planned year of enrollment” and inserting “not later than October 1 prior to the applicant’s planned year of enrollment”.

SEC. 3. CERTIFICATION AND TESTIMONY REQUIREMENTS.

Section 483(d)(4) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090(d)(4)) is further amended—

(1) by striking “The Secretary” and inserting the following:

(1)“(A) The Secretary”

(1) ; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

(2)“(B) The Secretary shall, with respect to each application processing cycle, prior to the initiation of such processing cycle—

(2)“(B)“(i) on a date that is not later than September 1—

(2)“(B)“(i)“(I) certify to the authorizing committees that the Department will meet the October 1 deadline specified in subparagraph (A) for such processing cycle; or

(2)“(B)“(i)“(II) certify to such committees that the Department will not meet such deadline; and

(2)“(B)“(ii) in the case of a certification described in clause (i)(II), on a date that is not later than September 30, testify before the authorizing committees on—

(2)“(B)“(ii)“(I) the anticipated failure to meet such deadline; and

(2)“(B)“(ii)“(II) the financial impact such failure will have on students and families.”

(2) .

Legislative History

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 8932:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 170 (2024):

Nov. 15, considered and passed House.

Nov. 20, considered and passed Senate.