TRIO Access Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1490

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Taxation

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-21: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2025-07-21T19:44:15Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The TRIO Access Act (H.R. 1490) aims to expand the permitted uses of certain taxpayer information shared with colleges and universities. Specifically, it allows this information—originally disclosed for determining financial aid eligibility—to also support specific federal programs that help disadvantaged students succeed in higher education.

Key Provisions

• Amendment to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC): Adds a new clause to IRC Section 6103(l)(13)(D), permitting institutions of higher education to use tax return information (received for financial aid purposes) for two TRIO programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965:
• Student Support Services (20 U.S.C. 1070a-14), which provides tutoring, counseling, and other support to low-income, first-generation, or disabled college students.
• Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (20 U.S.C. 1070a-15), which prepares underrepresented students for doctoral studies through research and mentoring.
• Conforming Amendments to the Higher Education Act (HEA):
• Updates HEA Section 483(a)(2)(D)(i) to explicitly allow disclosure of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information to institutions for TRIO program purposes.
• Revises HEA Section 483(a)(3)(C)(i) to limit the use of this information to financial aid administration and TRIO program activities.
• Modifies HEA Section 494(a)(1)(A) to include TRIO program eligibility as a reason institutions can request tax return information when needed to verify student eligibility.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Under current law, tax return information disclosed to higher education institutions is restricted to financial aid applications, awards, and administration (e.g., via the FAFSA process). This bill broadens that use to include the specified TRIO programs without requiring new disclosures from the IRS.
• It aligns the HEA with the IRC changes by updating FAFSA rules, ensuring consistency in how student data is handled and shared.
• No new tax return information is created or disclosed; the change only expands allowable uses of existing shared data.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The IRS will not need to alter its disclosure processes, reducing administrative burden. The Department of Education may see smoother implementation of TRIO programs, potentially improving program efficiency and outreach.
• On Citizens: Primarily benefits low-income, first-generation, or underrepresented college students by enabling institutions to more easily verify eligibility for TRIO support services, which could increase access to tutoring, mentoring, and research opportunities. This may help reduce dropout rates and improve graduation outcomes for these groups.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic higher education and tax policy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Institutions of Higher Education: Colleges and universities gain flexibility in using student data for TRIO programs, simplifying eligibility checks and program administration.
• Students in TRIO Programs: Disadvantaged students (e.g., those from low-income families, first-generation college attendees, or underrepresented minorities) benefit from easier access to support services.
• Federal Agencies: The IRS and Department of Education are indirectly involved through data disclosure rules, with minimal additional workload.
• Taxpayers Generally: No broad impact, but ensures privacy protections remain in place for shared tax data.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal/Privacy Implications: Builds on existing IRC safeguards for tax return confidentiality (Section 6103), which already allow limited disclosures for financial aid. The expansion maintains these protections by restricting use to authorized educational purposes, avoiding broader privacy risks. No new consent requirements are imposed on students.
• Constitutional Implications: None significant; the bill aligns with Congress's authority over taxation (Article I, Section 8) and education funding, without infringing on individual rights like privacy under the Fourth Amendment.
• Political Implications: Supports bipartisan efforts (introduced by members from both parties) to aid educational equity, potentially influencing future funding for TRIO programs. It could set a precedent for linking tax data with other student support initiatives, though it remains narrowly focused to avoid controversy over data sharing.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-21: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-02-21: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-02-21: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-21: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• TRIO Access Act — issued 2025-02-21 — PDF (4 pages)