H.R. 6502 - College Financial Aid Clarity Act of 2025

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Summary

The College Financial Aid Clarity Act of 2025 would require colleges and universities that receive federal funding to present financial aid offers in a standardized, easy-to-understand format. Currently, each institution uses its own format for financial aid award letters, which can make it difficult for students and families to compare offers or understand true costs. This bill would establish federal requirements for how colleges must present information about grants, scholarships, loans, interest rates, and other aid details.

If enacted, colleges would need to comply with the new formatting requirements beginning July 1, 2029. The bill requires the Secretary of Education to develop these standards through a consumer testing process to ensure the forms are clear and understandable. Financial aid offers would need to include specific information such as the total cost of attendance, the amount of aid that does not require repayment, details about any loans offered including interest rates and repayment obligations, and how aid might change if students receive funding from other sources.

The bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote. Supporters argue that standardized, transparent financial aid offers would help families make better-informed decisions about college affordability and reduce confusion about borrowing needs. The practical impact for students and families would be clearer comparisons between college offers and a better understanding of actual out-of-pocket costs before enrollment.

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Lifecycle of the Bill

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Dec 11, 2025

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

Dec 11, 2025

HearingHouseMarkup

Dec 11, 2025 · 15:15

H.R. 6392, the "Home School Graduation Recognition Act"; H.R. 6472, A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for in-state tuition rates for certain residents of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands, and for other purposes; H.R. 6498, the "Student Financial Clarity Act of 2025"; H.R. 6502, the "College Financial Aid Clarity Act of 2025"

Committee

House Committee on Education and Workforce

View full hearing

Summary

On December 11, 2025, the House Committee on Education and Workforce held a markup session to consider four education bills. H.R. 6392, the Home School Graduation Recognition Act, clarifies that homeschool graduates meeting state requirements are eligible for federal student aid. H.R. 6472, the Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act, requires public colleges to charge in-state tuition to U.S. nationals from Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. H.R. 6498, the Student Financial Clarity Act, expands the College Scorecard and establishes a Universal Net Price Calculator to provide students with better cost information. H.R. 6502, the College Financial Aid Clarity Act, requires institutions to present financial aid offers in a standardized, transparent format showing costs, grants, scholarships, and loan terms. The committee approved all four bills. H.R. 6392 passed 33-0, H.R. 6472 passed 32-1, H.R. 6498 passed 27-6, and H.R. 6502 passed by voice vote. Committee Democrats offered amendments to several bills, including requirements that the Education Department handle implementation internally rather than through other agencies, though most Democratic amendments failed on party-line votes. All four bills now advance to the full House for consideration. Passage by the committee does not guarantee the bills will become law; they must pass the House and Senate and be signed by the President to take effect.