Law / United States

Higher Education Act, institution's release of Student Aid Report and tax return information with the applicant's consent

20 U.S.C. 1098h(c)

In force.

A sensitive categories rule binding public and private bodies.

Instrument type

an act of a legislature

Obligation class

Consent, Prohibition, Governance

What it requires

• If the Secretary has asked institutions of higher education to carry it out, give an applicant, on the applicant's request, the information in the applicant's complete, unredacted Student Aid Report, including any return information disclosed under section 6103(l)(13) of title 26 (20 U.S.C. 1098h(c)(1)(A)).
• Provide that information to a scholarship granting organization or to an organization assisting the applicant in applying for assistance only with the applicant's written consent, and only as necessary (20 U.S.C. 1098h(c)(1)(B)).
• Obtain the applicant's consent on a separate, written document that is signed and dated and that indicates that the information includes return information, states the purpose of the disclosure, and states that the information may be used only for that specific purpose (20 U.S.C. 1098h(c)(4)(B)).
• If you receive information under that consent, or take part in a discussion of an application with the applicant at the applicant's written consent, do not use the information for any purpose other than the express purpose for which consent was granted, and do not disclose it to any other person without the express permission of, or request by, the applicant (20 U.S.C. 1098h(c)(3)).
• Keep a record of each written consent for at least 3 years from the student's last date of attendance and make each record readily available for review by the Secretary (20 U.S.C. 1098h(c)(5)).

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Page updated 12 November 2026.