H.R. 7892 — what changed

“(e) Identity fraud detection system

changed “(1) In general—In addition to to, or in conjunction with with, other verification processes carried out under this title, the Secretary shall use an identity fraud detection system to review each application submitted under this section on or after October 1, 2026, to determine whether the application presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud. If the Secretary determines that such an application presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud, the Secretary shall carry out notifications in accordance with paragraph (2).shall—

added “(A) use an identity fraud detection system to screen and assess each application submitted under this section on or after October 1, 2026, to determine whether the application presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud based on one or more indicators associated with suspected fraud risk; and

added “(B) carry out notifications in accordance with paragraph (2).

“(2) Notification of reasonable suspicion of identity fraud—If the Secretary determines that an application submitted under this section presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud, the Secretary shall—

“(A) provide the applicant with notice—

added “(i) of such determination;

removed “(i) of such determination and the basis for such determination;

“(ii) that the information described in subparagraph (B) will be transmitted to each institution of higher education designated by the applicant in the application; and

added “(iii) that the applicant is subject to additional identity verification requirements in accordance with section 487(a)(15)(B); and

removed “(iii) that the applicant is subject to additional identity verification requirements in accordance with section 487(a)(15); and

“(B) transmit to each institution designated by the applicant in the application, a notice—

“(i) that such application presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud; and

added “(ii) that the applicant is subject to additional identity verification requirements to be carried out by the institution in accordance with section 487(a)(15)(B), before the institution may disburse Federal financial aid under this title to such applicant.

removed “(ii) that the applicant is subject to identity verification requirements to be carried out by the institution in accordance with section 487(a)(15)(B), before the institution may disburse Federal financial aid under this title to such applicant.

“(3) Congressional notices and report

“(A) Notices—The Secretary shall submit to the authorizing committees—

“(i) not later than November 1, 2026, a written description of the identity fraud detection system required under this subsection; and

“(ii) not later than 30 days after implementing any substantial change to such system, a written description and rationale for such change.

added “(B) Annual evaluation and report—Not later than October 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of the identity fraud detection system carried out under this subsection, and submit to the authorizing committees a report on the use and effectiveness of such system.

added “(4) Rule of construction—Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the Secretary from meeting the requirements of paragraph (1), in whole or in part, through a capability or system used by the Secretary on or before the date of enactment of the No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026.”

removed “(B) Annual evaluation and report—Not later than October 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of the identity fraud detection system carried out under this subsection, and submit to the authorizing committees a report on the use and effectiveness of such system.”

changed “(B) Beginning on October 1, 2026, the institution will not disburse Federal financial aid under this title to an applicant whose with an application under section 483 that presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud under section 483(e), unless the institution, directly or through a contracted third-party service provider and in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary—

changed “(i) determines that a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud is not present by confirming before the identity disbursement of such applicant using in-person verification or live, synchronous audiovisual verification;aid—

changed “(ii) notifies the Secretary “(I) determines that a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud is not present by confirming the identity of the such applicant has been verified; andusing—

changed “(iii) maintains a record of such “(aa) in-person identity verification.”verification;

added “(bb) live, synchronous audiovisual identity verification;

added “(cc) identity verification compliant with National Institute of Standards and Technology Identity Assurance Level 2 (NIST IAL2), or an equivalent successor;

added “(dd) any additional identity verification method approved by the Secretary that provides a level of identity assurance that is equal to or greater than the level of assurance provided by an identify verification method described in items (aa) through (cc); or

added “(ee) a combination of two or more of the verification methods described in items (aa) through (dd); and

added “(II) notifies the Secretary that the identity of the applicant has been verified; and

added “(ii) maintains a record of such identity verification.”