# 114-hr-5528: Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act

114-hr-5528, Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act, is a 114th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Heck, Joseph J. [R-NV-3] (R-NV); status Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (as of 2025-11-18).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-5528
- As of: 2025-11-18
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 114-hr-5528
- Congress: 114
- Title: Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act
- Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced: 2016-06-20
- Sponsor: Rep. Heck, Joseph J. [R-NV-3] (R-NV)
- Cosponsors: 16
- Policy area: Education
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2025-11-18

## Summary

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.

## Cosponsors (16)

- Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1] (R-TN), 2016-06-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Polis, Jared [D-CO-2] (D-CO), 2016-06-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2] (D-WI), 2016-06-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Curbelo, Carlos [R-FL-26] (R-FL), 2016-06-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39] (D-CA), 2016-07-05T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kline, John [R-MN-2] (R-MN), 2016-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15] (R-PA), 2016-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] (R-GA), 2016-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3] (D-VA), 2016-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- RUBEN HINOJOSA (D-TX), 2016-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2] (D-CT), 2016-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fudge, Marcia L. [D-OH-11] (D-OH), 2016-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] (D-OR), 2016-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12] (D-NC), 2016-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] (D-FL), 2016-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- SUSAN DAVIS (D-CA), 2016-07-11T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 114-hr-3179: Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act
- 114-hr-3178: Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act
- 114-hr-2726: Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act
- 114-hr-1786: James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act
- 114-hr-5529: Accessing Higher Education Opportunities Act
- 114-hr-3268: PAST Act

## Sources
- [114-hr-5528 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/5528)

## Related
- [114-hr-3179: Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-3179)
- [114-hr-3178: Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-3178)
- [114-hr-2726: Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-2726)
- [114-hr-1786: James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-1786)
- [114-hr-5529: Accessing Higher Education Opportunities Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-5529)
- [114-hr-3268: PAST Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-3268)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-5528 (as of 2025-11-18).