PRIA Logo™
119-s-4428119th CongressWALLET

No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Moody, Ashley [R-FL]

Introduced

Summary

Identity Fraud Detection System: This bill would require the Department of Education to screen every FAFSA filed on or after October 1, 2026 for signs of identity fraud. Applicants flagged as suspicious would face extra identity checks before federal aid can be paid.

Show full summary
  • Students and families: Applicants flagged for suspicion would get a notice explaining the basis and their FAFSA data would be sent to each college they listed. They would need to complete in-person or live, synchronous video identity verification before federal aid is disbursed.
  • Colleges and institutions: Institutions would receive notice when an application is suspicious and must follow Secretary-issued procedures to confirm identity before releasing federal financial aid. They must notify the Secretary that verification occurred and keep records of the check.
  • Department of Education and oversight: The Secretary would issue identity-verification guidelines by October 1, 2026 and would evaluate and report on the detection system annually starting October 1, 2027.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

FAFSA identity checks for students

This bill would require the Department of Education to use an identity-fraud detection system to review every FAFSA filed on or after October 1, 2026. The Secretary would have to give Congress a written description of the system by November 1, 2026 and explain any substantial change within 30 days. The Secretary would also have to evaluate the system and report on its use and effectiveness by October 1, 2027 and every year after. The system would aim to reduce fraud but would also increase how often FAFSA applications are flagged and delayed for extra checks.

Stricter ID checks for student aid

This bill would stop schools from disbursing federal student aid to any applicant whose FAFSA the Secretary finds presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud, starting October 1, 2026. Schools would have to confirm identity in person or by live, synchronous video under Department rules before releasing aid. Schools would also have to notify the Secretary that they verified the identity and keep a record of the verification. The Secretary would have to notify flagged applicants and their listed schools and issue verification guidelines by October 1, 2026.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Moody, Ashley [R-FL]

FL • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Armstrong, Alan [R-OK]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 9/29/2026

  • Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

  • Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

  • Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 9/22/2026

  • Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation