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Congress·Reported·3 months ago

House Committee Advances Student Financial Clarity Act to Expand College Cost Data on Federal Scorecard

Also known as: Student Financial Clarity Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(6)
Disability Benefits
Neutral
Physical Disability
Neutral
Sensory Disability
Neutral
Cognitive Developmental
Neutral
Mental Health
Neutral
Federal Employee
Neutral
Positive Impacts(5)
Student
Helps
Student Loans
Helps
Child Tax Credit
Helps
Military Veteran
Helps
Veterans Benefits
Helps

Key Points

  • Congress would require the Education Department to post clearer, program-by-program college cost and outcomes data on the College Scorecard website.
  • A new federal “net price” calculator would let families estimate what they might actually pay after grants and scholarships, not just the sticker price.
  • The public data would include ranges (average/median/min/max) for required costs, aid, debt, repayment, and earnings, and allow easy school and program comparisons.
  • The information would be broken down by student groups (like income level, race/ethnicity, disability status, in-state vs out-of-state, and Pell Grant or loan status).
  • The changes would start July 1, 2027, and apply to the 2027–2028 financial aid year and later, affecting schools that take federal student aid funds.
EducationConsumer Protection

Milestones

3 milestones6 actions
Jan 21, 2026House

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 395.

Jan 21, 2026House

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-461.

Dec 11, 2025House

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 6.

Dec 11, 2025House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Dec 9, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

2027-07-01

New transparency rules start for the 2027–2028 school aid year

The upgraded College Scorecard and the new calculator requirements are supposed to apply starting with financial aid decisions for the 2027–2028 award year.

Within 6 months after the law’s effective date

Education Department begins consumer testing for the new/updated websites

Students and families may be asked to try the sites and give feedback so the tools are easier to use and focus on what people actually need.

Within 18 months after the law’s effective date

College Scorecard posts expanded, program-level cost, aid, debt, and earnings data

You can compare schools and specific majors with clearer “what you pay” and “what you get” information, including net price to finish and typical time to finish.

Within 18 months after the law’s effective date

Universal Net Price Calculator goes live on an Education Department website

You can answer one set of questions and get estimated yearly and total net price for specific programs at one or more schools, with a side-by-side comparison option.

No later than 2 years after the federal calculator is made available to institutions

Schools must post a net price calculator on their own websites

When you visit a college’s site, you should be able to get an individualized net price estimate there, not just on a federal website.

At least annually after launch

Data gets refreshed every year on the Scorecard and calculator

Comparisons should stay more up to date, so you’re less likely to rely on old prices or outdated outcomes.

Any year after data collection begins, if the Department decides it’s needed

The Education Department can adjust certain cost-change figures for inflation (CPI)

Year-to-year price change numbers may be shown in a way that’s easier to compare over time, especially during high inflation periods.

Ongoing after launch

Regular redesigns and tech updates to the calculator site

The tool may change layout or features over time, ideally making it faster and easier to use as devices and technology change.

At least once every 4 years after the first round of testing

Consumer testing repeats at least every 4 years

Students and families should periodically see improvements based on feedback, like clearer explanations of net price vs total cost.

Related News

1 article
NASFAA·3 months ago

House Panel Advances Bills Focused on Transparency and Access Efforts for Higher Education

The Student Financial Clarity Act would establish a “Universal Net Price Calculator” and expand the College Scorecard to include additional information about specific programs of study. The bill passed the committee with a vote of 27 to 6.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Student Financial Clarity Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 6498
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 395.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(4)
D: 3R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.