Rep. Onder’s Bill to Increase Transparency in Higher Education Costs Passes Committee

Contact: Brooke Morgan

(Washington, D.C.) - Congressman Bob Onder (R-MO) joined Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) and Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) in sponsoring H.R. 6498, the Student Financial Clarity Act. The bipartisan legislation passed out of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on December 11, 2025, and now awaits consideration on the House floor.

H.R. 6498 will increase price transparency for American students as they navigate higher education opportunities, improve the Universal Net Price Calculator, and bolster the College Scorecard to provide additional information about specific programs of study.

"I am proud to join Congressman Guthrie in leading the Student Financial Clarity Act. With the cost of higher education continuing to rise, it is crucial that we help students thrive by creating transparency around institutions, programs, and costs. This is exactly what the Student Financial Clarity Act will accomplish. By creating an accurate Universal Net Price Calculator, this bill will empower students to compare universities and programs to help identify the best option not only for their educational future but also for their financial future," said Congressman Bob Onder.

"Today, America's young people face the daunting task of navigating an increasingly complex higher education landscape. As a result of the skyrocketing cost of education, Americans now owe nearly $1.8 trillion in student loans," said Congressman Guthrie. "My Student Financial Clarity Act would allow students to easily access information about the costs and outcomes at institutions and individual programs so they can evaluate the program that is best suited for their academic interests and financial means. This bill will bring much-needed clarity for the American student."

"Too many college degree programs overpromise and underdeliver. In a time of declining trust in postsecondary education, now more than ever students deserve transparency so they know whether a program is worth the investment of their time and money. This bill is another strong step toward promoting sensible borrowing, driving down costs, and ending the hidden expenses that mire borrowers in student loan debt," said Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI).

"Families deserve clear, accessible information when making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives," said Congresswoman Trahan. "The Student Financial Clarity Act builds on years of work to strengthen Net Price Calculators and expands those reforms through a modernized College Scorecard with transparency on costs, aid, and student outcomes broken down by institution and program. This bill delivers on the simple idea that every student should know what they are paying for and what they can expect in return. I'm proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to help students and parents navigate the path to higher education with confidence."

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Link to the bill text can be found HERE

Link to the Markup: Markup of H.R. 6392, H.R. 6472, H.R. 6498, and H.R. 6502

Background Information

The Student Financial Clarity Act builds upon Guthrie's Net Price Calculator Improvement Act, which he introduced in the last three sessions of Congress to establish a Universal Net Price Calculator.

Since 2008, Congress has required institutions of higher education to provide Net Price Calculator tools on their websites as a part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act. However, this tool has been implemented inconsistently, resulting in students experiencing difficulty in accessing important information when making the most crucial decisions of their academic careers.

If enacted, the Student Financial Clarity Act would:

• Improve the Universal Net Price Calculator, which would allow students to answer a set of financial and academic questions to receive personalized cost estimates for institutions and programs of study.
• Provide a central location for students to compare costs at one or more schools and programs of study, specific to their financial situation.
• Expand the College Scorecard to require additional information on program-level statistics, allowing students to compare student costs, outcomes, and financial aid at institutions and specific programs of study.