Congress·Reported·H.R. 6502

Congress Targets Standard, Clearer College Financial Aid Offers to Help Families Compare Costs

College Financial Aid Clarity Act of 2025

3 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

Colleges that take federal student aid would have to use a clearer, more consistent “Financial Aid Offer” form for students.
Offers would have to separate gift aid (grants and scholarships) from loans, clearly label loans as loans, and show key cost info for the year.
Schools would also have to share extra details, like whether aid is likely to renew, how outside scholarships could change the offer, and that loans must be repaid.
Students would get links to tools and comparison info, like a net price calculator, the College Financing Plan site, and the College Scorecard site.
The rules would phase in over time: Education Department would publish requirements by July 1, 2028, and schools would comply starting July 1, 2029.

EducationConsumer Protection

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Mixed Impacts(1)

Small Business Owner

Neutral

Positive Impacts(6)

Student Loans

Helps

Student

Helps

Child Tax Credit

Helps

Military Active

Helps

Military Veteran

Helps

Veterans Benefits

Helps

Milestones

3 milestones6 actions

Jan 21, 2026House

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 394.

Jan 21, 2026House

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-460.

Dec 11, 2025House

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 10.

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

Within 9 months after the bill becomes law

Education Department sets up a consumer testing process for the new standard financial aid offer format.

This starts the work that will decide what award letters must look like and what words schools must use, based on what real students and families understand.

2028-07-01

Education Department publishes the official requirements online and notifies colleges that take federal aid.

Schools get the rulebook and can start (or finish) rebuilding award letters, portals, and templates to match the required format.

2029-07-01

Colleges must start using the required “Financial Aid Offer” format for all financial aid offers and related communications.

Students applying for aid should begin receiving more consistent, clearer award letters that separate grants from loans and show net price and key disclosures.

Related News

3 articles

Inside Higher Ed·3 months ago

House Ed Committee Advances Financial Aid Transparency Bills

House Education and Workforce Committee advanced two bills, including the College Financial Aid Clarity Act, directing Education Department to create a standardized financial aid offer format, with school compliance required by July 1, 2029.

CL~

NAICU (National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities)·3 months ago

College Cost Transparency Receives Bipartisan Support in House Committee Vote

NAICU recap of House committee markup: the College Financial Aid Clarity Act (H.R. 6502) would standardize formatting and disclosures in financial aid offer letters; committee vote 23-10; compliance date July 1, 2029.

CR~

American Council on Education (ACE)·3 months ago

House Education and Workforce Committee Advances Two Student Aid Bills

ACE summary of the committee vote advancing the College Financial Aid Clarity Act and related transparency legislation; raises concerns about one-size-fits-all federal requirements for award letters.

C−