Congress will consider ways to simplify the form that students and their parents must complete to apply for financial aid. On Tuesday the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will hold a hearing on “Reauthorizing the Higher Education Act: Simplifying the FAFSA and Reducing the Burden of Verification.” The committee will consider legislation to slash the number of questions on the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) from the current 108 to no more than 24. Iowa College Aid’s executive research officer, Mark Wiederspan, will testify before the committee. Earlier this year, he authored a brief that found FAFSA verification — a process of additional documentation for which about one-third of FAFSA filers are selected — is a “significant barrier” for low-income students. Tuesday’s hearing will begin at 9 a.m. Central time and can be viewed live here.