WASHINGTON D.C. -- A bill surrounding the FAFSA deadline that an Indiana congresswoman wrote has passed the U.S. House of Representatives. HR 8932, or the FAFSA Deadline Act, passed with a vote of 381 to 1 on Friday morning. U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a Democratic lawmaker from San Jose, California, was the only lawmaker to vote against the bill. Originally sponsored by U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Ind. District 9, the bill, if passed, would ensure that the FAFSA is released and fully operational by Oct. 1 each year. The FAFSA, or the free application for student aid, gives students the chance to learn if they are eligible for grants, scholarships, work-study programs and other things. Gov.-elect Mike Braun announces formation of transition councils The bill was originally introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives on July 5 and referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Per the Higher Education Act, the FAFSA should be available on Oct. 1, "to the maximum extent practible," according to officials. But the requirement was for the application to be available by Jan. 1, which officials argue caused confusion. Officials said delays in issuing the FAFSA caused "great confusion for schools and families and make it difficult for states and nonprofits to process aid packages or award scholarships." Indiana lawmakers return to Washington D.C. for last session of 118th Congress "By creating a hard deadline of October 1, this bill will prevent this administration’s pattern of botched FAFSA rollouts from becoming the norm and end that confusion," the release surrounding the House's passage of the bill said. According to previous reports, the bill was introduced following the last FAFSA enrollment cycle from the Department of Education. At that time, the applicatoin was "significantly delayed." In a post on social media from Houchin on Friday, she said she was proud to announce the bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives "with near unanimous, bipartisan support." "By establishing clear deadlines, this legislation will make it easier for students to access the financial aid needed to pursue higher education." Indiana Republican congresswoman named conference secretary U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind. District 7 also praised the bill, stating: "Federal student aid makes college possible for so many Americans," he said. "I voted for the FAFSA Deadline Act today to release the FAFSA by Oct 1 instead of Jan 1, so students know their federal aid options sooner. This simple change will make a big impact." The bill is now expected to go to the U.S. Senate. For a look at the bill, look at the document below: BILLS-118hr8932rhDownload According to previous reports, the Department of Education is preparing to launch its 2025-26 FAFSA form no later than Dec. 1.