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Congress·In Committee·about 1 month ago

Congress bill would lower some families’ student aid index by factoring in parents’ federal student loans

Also known as: AID Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(1)
Federal Employee
Neutral
Positive Impacts(3)
Student Loans
Helps
Child Tax Credit
Helps
Student
Helps

Key Points

  • Starting in the 2027-2028 school aid year, some families can subtract a “student loan allowance” from parents’ income when student aid is calculated.
  • The allowance is the smaller of $4,000 or 15% of the parent’s federal student loan balance (combined balance for married parents).
  • Higher-income families would be excluded: over $200,000 income for a single parent or over $400,000 combined income for married parents.
  • This change mainly affects dependent students whose aid is based on their parents’ finances, and it could make some students look “needier” and qualify for more aid.
  • The Education Department must report to Congress by July 1, 2028, and yearly after, on how many students used the allowance and the average amount.
Education

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 22, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Jan 22, 2026

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

For the 2027–2028 financial aid cycle (when students submit FAFSA for that award year).

Student loan allowance starts being used in FAFSA student aid index calculations for award year 2027–2028.

Some dependent students may qualify for more need-based aid because parent income used in the formula would be reduced by an allowance tied to the parent(s)’ federal student loan debt.

Before and during the 2028–2029 award year cycle; updated annually afterward.

Education Department begins publishing inflation-adjusted tables for the student loan allowance starting award year 2028–2029.

The $4,000 cap and the income cutoffs would be updated for inflation over time, so the allowance may keep more of its value as prices rise.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide a student loan allowance calculation for purposes of determining the student aid index.

Bill NumberHR 7232
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Sponsor

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.