U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville helped introduce legislation this week aimed at stopping fraudulent federal student aid applications, while also co-sponsoring a resolution designating April 2026 as Financial Literacy Month.

The No Aid for Ghost Students Act targets individuals who use stolen or fake identities to submit FAFSA applications and collect federal student aid. The bill would require the Department of Education to implement an identity fraud detection system to flag suspicious applications and notify both the applicant and the institution.

Institutions would then be required to verify the applicant’s identity through either in-person or live audiovisual verification before disbursing aid. The Department of Education would also be required to submit annual reports to Congress on the system’s effectiveness.

“Our young students work night and day to earn their spot on campus,” Tuberville (R-Auburn) said. “Zero federal student aid should go towards ghost students who are stealing money from Americans. As Co-Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions task force to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in education, I am proud to introduce this bill and will not stop until we eliminate all fraud.”

Separately, Tuberville joined Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) in introducing a resolution recognizing April as Financial Literacy Month. The Senate has recognized the designation annually since 2004. Tuberville co-sponsored the same resolution in the previous Congress.

“I spent nearly 40 years in education, and I can tell you that financial literacy is one of the most important things we should be teaching to our young people,” Tuberville said. “Empowering students to manage their money well not only sets them up for success in school but also in life.”

Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].