No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026
Sponsor: Burgess Owens (R-UT)
This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish an identity fraud detection system for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Beginning on October 1, 2026, ED must use an identity fraud detection system to review each submitted application to determine whether the applicant presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud. If ED makes such a determination, it must notify the applicant and each institution of higher education (IHE) designated on the application that the applicant is subject to additional identity verification.
Education Topic assigned by the Congressional Research Service.
Who won, and how much of the country was behind them
The dotted gap is 3.2% of U.S. adults whose member did not vote, voted “present,” or whose seat was vacant.
| Side | Outcome | Votes | Share of U.S. adults |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yea | Won | 249 | 57.8% |
| Nay | Lost | 172 | 39.0% |
| Not represented on this question | No position taken | 0 | 3.2% |