H.R.2521 - American Family FAFSA Opportunity Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2521, the American Family FAFSA Opportunity Act of 2025, aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. The bill focuses on modifying the formula for calculating federal student aid, specifically addressing what it terms the "sibling penalty". The proposed change intends to provide more opportunities for families in the federal student aid process by altering how family contributions are assessed when multiple siblings are in college.
Expected Effects
The bill's primary effect would be to change the calculation of the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for federal student aid. By amending Section 475(b) of the Higher Education Act, the bill seeks to reduce the financial burden on families with multiple children enrolled in higher education simultaneously. This could result in increased eligibility for student aid for affected families.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to financial aid for families with multiple children in college.
- Reduced financial burden on families supporting multiple students.
- Potentially higher enrollment rates in higher education due to increased affordability.
- Simplification of the FAFSA calculation process for families with multiple students.
- Could lead to a more equitable distribution of financial aid resources.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential strain on federal budget due to increased aid distribution.
- Possible reduction in aid for students from smaller families or those with only one child in college.
- Complexity in predicting the overall impact on the financial aid system.
- Risk that institutions may adjust tuition or fees in response to changes in aid availability.
- The bill does not address other systemic issues within higher education affordability.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to promote access to education. Specifically, the preamble states the Constitution is intended to "promote the general Welfare". Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. The bill falls under Congress's power to legislate on matters related to education and financial aid.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).