FAFSA Act Converts Student Grants to Unsubsidized Loans for Certain Convictions, Barring All Forgiveness

The “Freeze Aid For Student Assaulters Act of 2025,” or FAFSA Act of 2025, proposes a significant shake-up in who qualifies for federal student aid, making eligibility contingent on criminal convictions related to law enforcement assault and rioting. Starting with the next school year, anyone convicted of assaulting a police officer or certain riot-related crimes—like inciting or participating in violence during a riot—would be immediately cut off from all Title IV federal student aid, including Pell Grants, federal loans, and work-study assistance (SEC. 2).

The Immediate Debt Bomb

This bill doesn't just stop future aid; it reaches back into the past. For students who are currently receiving federal grants when convicted of one of the specified offenses, the financial hammer drops immediately. Any grant money they received for their current program is instantly converted into a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan (SEC. 2). Think of a student relying on a Pell Grant to cover tuition this semester; upon conviction, that grant money turns into debt overnight. Interest starts accruing on that amount from the original date the grant was received, not the date of conversion. This creates a sudden and often massive repayment liability for students who likely don't have the cash on hand to deal with it.

No Forgiveness, No Relief

Perhaps the most brutal provision for those affected is the absolute ban on relief for these converted loans. The bill explicitly states that these specific debts will not qualify for any forgiveness, cancellation, discharge, or reduction programs available under the Higher Education Act or any other law (SEC. 2). For the average person, this means if you get hit with this penalty, that debt is permanent and non-negotiable. It removes the standard safety net that exists for virtually all other federal student debt, making this debt inescapable, regardless of future circumstances or financial hardship. This is a powerful, punitive measure that disproportionately affects low-income students who rely heavily on grants.

Where the Line Gets Blurry

The criteria for losing aid are specific—assaulting a police officer—but also contain a broader category: crimes related to rioting, including “inciting, organizing, promoting, participating in, or helping someone commit violence during a riot” (SEC. 2). Since the bill doesn't precisely define what constitutes “related to rioting” or “participating in violence,” there is room for interpretation that could potentially sweep up individuals involved in protests where minor offenses occurred, even if they weren't central to the violence. The result is a high-stakes penalty—losing all access to education funding and facing immediate, unforgivable debt—tied to potentially ambiguous conviction criteria. For someone trying to get their life back on track through education, this bill creates a permanent financial barrier.