H.R. 3153 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Education and Workforce, May 1, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryStandardizes college financial aid offer forms
The Department of Education would create a standard form and terminology that all colleges must use when telling students what financial aid they're being offered. Before finalizing the form, the department would test it with students, families, college staff, counselors, and consumer groups to make sure it's clear and helpful. Every college that participates in federal student aid programs would then be required to use this standard form and language.
How it affects you
If you're a student or parent shopping for colleges, you'd see the same format and terms from every school, making it easier to compare financial aid offers side by side. Right now, colleges use different formats and language, which can make it hard to understand what you'll actually pay. This bill aims to put all that information in one clear, consistent place.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, May 1, 2025)
Understanding the True Cost of College Act of 2025
This bill requires standardized financial aid terminology and offer forms.
Specifically, the Department of Education (ED) must develop standard terminology and a format for financial aid offer forms based on recommendations from representatives of certain groups, including students, veterans, and institutions of higher education (IHEs).
The consumer-friendly form must include specified details and disclosures, including the estimated cost of attendance, the net price that a student or family is estimated to pay, and the terms and conditions of financial aid.
In addition, ED must (1) test the form with representatives of students, students' families, IHEs, secondary school and postsecondary counselors, and nonprofit consumer groups; and (2) use the results to develop the final form.
Each IHE that participates in federal student aid programs must (1) use the standard form when offering financial aid to students, and (2) use the standard terminology and definitions developed by ED for all communications related to financial aid offers.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 3153
A BILL
Understanding the True Cost of College Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Young Kim (R-CA-40) · Introduced May 1, 2025 · Education · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action May 1, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.”