AID Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (8 Feb 2022): Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
What this bill does
H.R. 6425, also known as the Achieving Independence through Degrees Act (AID Act), would make several changes to federal student aid programs. The bill proposes to increase the maximum Pell Grant award and allow Pell Grants to cover living and non-tuition expenses. It would also expand eligibility for Pell Grants to certain short-term workforce training programs and increase the number of semesters a student can receive them. Additionally, the bill would require annual financial counseling for students receiving federal loans and update the FAFSA application process to allow students to apply as independent under special circumstances and remove questions about drug-related convictions.
The bill aims to affect students seeking higher education and job training. It seeks to improve access to financial aid through Pell Grants, potentially making college and training programs more affordable. For students receiving federal loans, the bill introduces more frequent financial counseling to help them understand their loan obligations. It also expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for certain students, including those with a zero expected family contribution. The Federal Work-Study Program would be permanently reauthorized and its funding allocation revised.
H.R. 6425 was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 19, 2022, and referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and additionally to the Committees on Agriculture and Ways and Means. As of its introduction, the bill has not moved beyond this initial committee referral stage. Its next steps would involve committee review, potential hearings, and votes before it could be considered by the full House of Representatives and then the Senate.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Achieving Independence through Degrees Act or the AID Act
This bill revises certain federal student-aid programs. Among other changes, the bill expands access to Pell Grants, expands loan counseling requirements, revises the Federal Work-Study Program, updates the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, and extends Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to certain students.
The bill expands access to Pell Grants by (1) increasing the maximum award and indexing it for inflation; (2) increasing the semester eligibility limit to 15 semesters; (3) extending eligibility to certain short-term workforce training programs; (4) excluding from gross income, for income tax purposes, any amount received as a Pell Grant; and (5) allowing Pell Grants to be used for living and non-tuition expenses.
The bill revises student loan counseling requirements applicable to institutions of higher education (IHEs) by requiring annual financial counseling and expanding exit counseling.
Additionally, the bill permanently reauthorizes the Federal Work-Study Program and otherwise revises the program, including by allocating program funds to IHEs based on the amount of Pell Grant funds received by each IHE. It establishes a pilot program that provides work-based learning opportunities for students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.
The bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to allow students to complete FAFSA as independent students under special circumstances. Further, the bill prohibits ED from asking about drug-related convictions on FAFSA.
The bill also allows certain students, including those who have an expected family contribution of zero, to qualify for SNAP benefits.
Timeline
8 Feb 2022
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 6425 do?
- H.R. 6425, also known as the Achieving Independence through Degrees Act (AID Act), would make several changes to federal student aid programs. The bill proposes to increase the maximum Pell Grant award and allow Pell Grants to cover living and non-tuition expenses. It would also expand eligibility for Pell Grants to certain short-term workforce training programs and increase the number of semesters a student can receive them. Additionally, the bill would require annual financial counseling for students receiving federal loans and update the FAFSA application process to allow students to apply as independent under special circumstances and remove questions about drug-related convictions. The bill aims to affect students seeking higher education and job training. It seeks to improve access to financial aid through Pell Grants, potentially making college and training programs more affordable. For students receiving federal loans, the bill introduces more frequent financial counseling to help them understand their loan obligations. It also expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for certain students, including those with a zero expected family contribution. The Federal Work-Study Program would be permanently reauthorized and its funding allocation revised. H.R. 6425 was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 19, 2022, and referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and additionally to the Committees on Agriculture and Ways and Means. As of its introduction, the bill has not moved beyond this initial committee referral stage. Its next steps would involve committee review, potential hearings, and votes before it could be considered by the full House of Representatives and then the Senate.
- Has H.R. 6425 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 6425. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 6425?
- H.R. 6425 was sponsored by Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] (D-OR), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 6425?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations. (8 Feb 2022).
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AID Act
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