Sen. John Kerry is leading the way in asking the federal government to make financial aid a little easier to come by for transgender students or students of same-sex parents. 

For trans students, filling out the FAFSA, which determines financial aid, can be difficult and unhelpful because the name and gender information students provide may not match their official documentation. Kerry called this issue “disturbing” and wants to find a way to fix it. 

Kerry also asked that students with same-sex parents not be short-changed because their parents’ relationship receives fewer benefits due to DOMA. From the Advocate:

“I request that you consider ways to clarify the FAFSA for applicants who have same-sex parents and for students who are gay and transgender,” Kerry wrote. “I also ask that you consider the whole of the financial aid process — beginning to end — from the perspective of these applicants and make any possible modifications that would improve the application and reward procedures for all applicants.”

Kerry’s turning out to be quite the ally. These changes could make a big difference for lots of students, so hopefully more people get behind them.