US House passes bill to combat ‘ghost’ federal student aid applicants

The US House passed a bill requiring the Department of Education to implement an identity fraud detection system for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to prevent 'ghost students' from defrauding federal aid programs. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Burgess Owens, aims to protect taxpayer funds by verifying applicant identities and was supported by Education Secretary Linda McMahon.