H.R.1490 - TRIO Access Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1490, the TRIO Access Act, aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow institutions of higher education to use certain tax return information, disclosed for financial aid purposes, for Federal TRIO programs (specifically, student support services and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program). This would streamline the process of determining eligibility for these programs. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 21, 2025, and referred to the Committees on Ways and Means and Education and Workforce.
Expected Effects
The bill, if enacted, would expand the permissible use of tax return information already disclosed to institutions for financial aid. This would allow institutions to more efficiently determine eligibility for TRIO programs. Ultimately, this could lead to increased participation in these programs by eligible students.
Potential Benefits
- Streamlined Eligibility Determination: Simplifies the process for institutions to verify eligibility for TRIO programs.
- Increased Program Participation: May lead to higher enrollment in TRIO programs by reducing administrative hurdles.
- Better Resource Allocation: Allows institutions to more effectively target resources to eligible students.
- Improved Student Support: Enhances the ability of TRIO programs to provide support services to disadvantaged students.
- Conforming Amendments: Ensures consistency between the Internal Revenue Code and the Higher Education Act.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Privacy Concerns: Expanding the use of tax return information, even within institutions, could raise privacy concerns, although the information is already disclosed for financial aid purposes.
- Risk of Data Breach: Any expansion of data usage increases the potential risk of data breaches, requiring robust security measures.
- Administrative Burden: Institutions may need to update their systems and procedures to comply with the new regulations.
- Limited Scope: The bill only affects TRIO programs and may not address broader issues of access to higher education.
- Unintended Consequences: There is a potential for unintended consequences related to data usage and eligibility determination, requiring careful monitoring.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble) by aiming to improve educational opportunities for disadvantaged students. It does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights, such as those protected by the Bill of Rights. The expansion of data usage is limited to institutions of higher education and for specific educational programs, which mitigates potential privacy concerns.
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).