No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
In Committee
Summary
Stops federal aid for applications flagged as possible identity fraud. This bill would require the Department of Education to run an identity fraud detection system on student aid applications filed on or after October 1, 2026 and to notify applicants and colleges when an application raises reasonable suspicion of identity fraud.
Show full summary
- Applicants: Flagged applicants would receive notice explaining the basis for the suspicion and face extra identity checks before federal aid can be disbursed.
- Colleges and other institutions: Institutions must not disburse federal financial aid to a flagged applicant unless they confirm identity in person or by live, synchronous audiovisual verification, notify the Department that identity was verified, and keep a record of that verification.
- Department of Education: The Secretary must issue verification guidelines by October 1, 2026, submit a written description of the detection system to authorizing committees by November 1, 2026, report any major changes within 30 days, and begin annual evaluations of the system by October 1, 2027.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New identity checks for students
This bill would require the Secretary of Education to check every federal student aid application filed on or after October 1, 2026 using an identity fraud detection system. If an application is flagged as presenting a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud, the Secretary would notify the applicant and each school the applicant listed. Schools would not be allowed to give federal aid to a flagged applicant unless they confirm the student's identity in person or by a live, synchronous video call. Schools would also have to tell the Secretary they verified the identity and keep a record of that verification before they disburse aid. The Secretary would have to issue verification guidelines by October 1, 2026, send a written description of the detection system to authorizing committees by November 1, 2026, and report annually starting October 1, 2027.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
UT • R
Cosponsors
Kiley (CA)
CA • I
Sponsored 3/17/2026
Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6]
WI • R
Sponsored 3/17/2026
Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]
NC • R
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Obernolte
CA • R
Sponsored 4/27/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov