September 27, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 157 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         FAFSA TRANSLATION ACT

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                            HON. GRACE MENG

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 2019

  Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise to bring attention to the need to 
have the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form available in 
multiple foreign languages. Currently, FAFSA forms are available only 
in English and Spanish.
   That is why I am introducing the FAFSA Translation Act, which would 
amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 by requiring the Secretary of 
Education to translate FAFSA into no fewer than 11 foreign languages 
and make them available in paper and electronic formats.
   Madam Speaker, the cost of higher education continues to skyrocket, 
and all students and families in the United States--regardless of how 
proficient they are in English--are entitled to seek the same financial 
aid they need to help pay for college. Those who face significant 
language barriers should not be forced to rely on for-profit companies 
that charge hundreds of dollars to translate this free application. 
Translating FAFSA into various languages will help make the financial 
aid process less complicated for many families across the country. 
Ultimately, this would allow more students to access higher education--
which is critical for the economic health of the nation. I urge my 
colleagues to support this legislation.

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