Data Elements and Justification 2007-2008 FAFSA

Data Elements and Justification

2007-2008 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Step One

Question Number(s)	Data Element(s)	Data Element(s) Justification
1-3	Student’s name	1. Record identification. 2. Database matches.
4-7	Student’s permanent mailing address	An official address to which results of processing are sent. Also used to send student PIN, which allows student to sign applications electronically, and to access application information over the Internet.
8	Student’s Social Security Number	1. Section 484(a)(4)(B) of the Act. To be eligible for Title IV student aid, a student must file with the application such student's Social Security Number except for applicants from the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau. 2. Record identification. 3. Database matches. 4. Identifies duplicate applications.
9	Student’s date of birth	1. Section 476(c)(3) and 477(c)(3) of the Act. Used to determine an asset protection allowance for the computation of discretionary net worth for the independent student. 2. Record identification. 3. Database matches. 4. System edits. (Cross check to "were you born before January 1, 1984?").
10	Student’s permanent telephone number	Used to identify the applicant to permit servicing and collecting of student loans. Also used by customer service operations.
11-12	Student’s driver’s license number and state	Used to identify the applicant and to permit servicing and collecting of Perkins Loans and Stafford Loans (both Direct and FFEL).
13	Student’s e-mail address	Used to communicate with the student electronically.
14	Student’s citizenship	Section 484(a)(5) of the Act limits Title IV eligibility to United States citizens or nationals who are permanent residents of the United States, in the United States for other than a temporary purpose and able to provide evidence from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of his or her intent to become a resident, or other persons who meet special conditions. ED performs database matches with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and DHS to verify eligibility.

15	Student’s Alien Registration Number	Section 484(h) of the Act requires institutional collection and verification of proof of permanent residency. ED uses the Alien Registration Number to perform a computer match with files from DHS of persons who are eligible to receive Title IV aid. This facilitates the verification process, improves its accuracy and reduces the chance of fraud.
16	Student’s marital status	Sections 474(b)(5), 476(b)(4), and 477(b)(5). Used in determining the expected family contributions for independent students. Used in determining the appropriate independent formula and for the employment expense allowance calculation.
17	Date student was married, widowed, separated, or divorced	Section 483(a)(1) requires inclusion of data items selected in consultation with the states to assist the states in awarding state student financial assistance.
18	Student’s state of legal residence	Sections 475(g)(3), 476(b)(2), and 477(b)(2) of the Act, as amended. Used to determine an allowance for state and local taxes for the computation of the dependent and independent student’s available taxable income.
19-20	Student’s date of legal residence in state	Section 483(a)(1) requires inclusion of data items selected in consultation with the states to assist the states in awarding state student financial assistance.
21-22	Selective Service registration	Used to determine if student is required to register with the Selective Service.
23	Degree/Certificate student will be working on in 2007-2008	Section 483(a)(1) requires inclusion of data items selected in consultation with the states to assist the states in awarding state student financial assistance.
24	Student’s grade level in 2007-2008	Used to determine loan limits under the Federal Direct Loan and Federal Family Education Loan programs.
25	Enrollment status in 2007-2008	Used by states and institutions to determine the amount of eligibility and facilitate the packaging of federal student aid. Reduces burden on states and institutions.
26	Interest in other types of student aid	Used by institutions to determine if student is interested in student loans and/or work-study.
27	High school diploma or GED	Used by institutions to determine if student is eligible to receive Title IV aid. Students are required to have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent in order to receive federal student aid. Section 483(a)(1) requires inclusion of data items selected in consultation with the states to assist the states in awarding state student financial assistance.
28	First bachelor’s degree	Section 401(a)(1) of the Act limits Federal Pell Grant eligibility to students pursuing an undergraduate course of study. Section 413B(b)(1) of the Act limits Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant eligibility to students pursuing an undergraduate course of study.
29-30	Highest educational level completed by student’s mother and father	Section 483(q)(1) requires inclusion of data items selected in consultation with the states to assist the states in awarding state student financial assistance. Used by TRIO program, states, and institutions to determine the amount of eligibility and facilitate the packaging of federal student aid. Reduces burden on states and institutions.
31	Drug Conviction	Section 484(r)(1) denies Title IV eligibility to applicants with drug-related convictions under certain circumstances.

Step Two

32-34	Type of tax return	Used for verification of income reported on the application and for determining the tax filing criteria used in determining the eligibility for and calculation of the simplified needs tests and automatic zero EFC under Section 479 of the Act.
35	2006 adjusted gross income (AGI)	Sections 475(g)(1), 476(b)(1), 477(b)(1), and 480(a) of the Act. The base year income for the dependent student and the independent student (and spouse) is used to determine total and available income for the computation of the dependent or independent student’s contribution under Part F-Need Analysis.
36	2006 income tax paid	Sections 475(g)(2)(A), 476(b)(1)(A)(i) and 477(b)(1)(A) of the Act. The amounts of federal income taxes of the dependent student and of the independent student (and spouse) are used in determining contribution from available income.
37	2006 exemptions	Used in the editing system. Also used to calculate estimated tax for verification purposes. Used by states to award student financial assistance.
38-39	2006 income earned from work	Sections 475(g)(4), 476(b)(3), and 477(b)(3). Used to determine the Social Security Tax Allowance for the computation of available income for the dependent and independent student contribution. Sections 476(b)(4), and 477(b)(5). Also used to determine an employment expense allowance for independent students, and available income for the independent student’s contribution.
40-41	2006 amount from Worksheets A and B (Untaxed Income)	Sections 480(b) and 480(c) of the Act. Untaxed income for students and parents is used to determine available income for computing parental and student contribution.
42	2006 amount from Worksheet C (Income Exclusions)	Sections 480(a) and 480(e) of the Act. Used to derive a figure for “excludable income” such as student financial aid, child support paid, etc., which is not to be included in defining total income for purposes of computing the expected family contribution.
43	Cash, savings and checking accounts	Sections 474(b)(4), 475(h), 476(c)(2)(A), 477(c)(2)(A) and 480(f) of the Act. The student’s and/or spouse’s cash, savings and checking accounts are used to determine net worth for calculating expected family contribution for both dependent and independent students.
44	Current net worth of investments	Sections 474(b)(4), 475(h), 476(c)(2)(B), 477(c)(2)(B) and 480(f) of the Act. The student’s and/or spouse’s other real estate and investments and associated debts are used to determine adjusted net worth for calculating expected family contribution for both dependent and independent students.
45	Current net worth of business and/or investment farm	Sections 474(b)(4), 475(h), 476(c)(2)(C), 477(c)(2)(C) and 480(f) of the Act. The student’s and/or spouse’s business and/or investment farm assets and associated debts are used to determine net worth for calculating expected family contribution for both dependent and independent students. A family farm, on which the family resides, is excluded from the calculation of EFC. A family business with fewer than 100 full-time employees is also excluded.
46-47	Veterans education benefits	Used by institutions under Sections 428 and 480(j)(1) to determine a student’s eligibility for funds under this title. In the calculation of a student’s eligibility for federal aid, used to determine the amount of estimated financial resources. Also used by states to determine state aid eligibility.

Step Three

48	Born before January 1, 1984?	Sections 480(d)(1) through 480(d)(6) of the Act. Used to determine whether applicant qualifies as a dependent or independent student. These elements (questions 48 through 55) are needed to determine whether parental data must be supplied and, therefore, which sections of the form the applicant needs to complete.
49	Enrolled in graduate or professional program in 2007-2008?
50	Married?
51	Do you have children?
52	Non-children dependents other than a spouse?
53	Orphan, ward, or dependent of the court?
54	Currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces?
55	Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

Step Four

56	Parents’ current marital status	Section 475(f) of the Act. Used in determining whose income is to be reported in calculating the expected family contribution.
57	Date parents were married, widowed, separated, or divorced	Used to identify records in a proposed IRS income verification match.
58-65	Parents’ Social Security Numbers, last names, first initials, and dates of birth	Section 483(a)(7) of the Act, and proposed IRS match. Section 484(q) of the Act and proposed IRS match. Used by the Department to estimate erroneous Pell Grant payments as required by the Improper Payments Act, by matching against an IRS database each year.
66	Number in parents’ household	Sections 475(c)(1), 475(c)(4), and 480(l) of the Act. Used to determine an income protection allowance for computation of parental income.
67	Parents’ number in college in 2007-2008	Section 475(b)(3) of the Act. The expected family contribution from income and assets is divided by the number of persons in college (excluding parents) to determine the family contribution for the applicant.
68	Parents’ state of legal residence	Section 475(c)(1) and 475(c)(2) of the Act. Used to determine state and other tax allowances for the computation of parental available income.
69-70	Parents’ date of legal residence in state	Section 483(a)(1) requires inclusion of data items selected in consultation with the states to assist the states in awarding state student financial assistance.
71-75	Parents received federal benefits in 2006	Sections 479(b) and 479(c). The Higher Education Reauthorization Act (HERA) states that a family is eligible for the simplified needs and automatic zero calculation if the student or parents received benefits and met the appropriate income threshold.
76-78	Parents’ type of tax return	Used for verification of income reported on the application and for determining the tax filing criteria used in determining the eligibility for and calculation of the simplified needs tests and automatic zero EFC under Section 479 of the Act.
79	Parents’ 2006 AGI	Sections 480(a), and 475(b)(1) of the Act. The base year income for the dependent student’s parents is used to determine total and available income for the computation of parental contribution.
80	Parents’ 2006 income tax paid	Section 475(c)(1)(A) of the Act. The amounts of federal income taxes of the dependent student’s parents are used in determining contribution from available income.
81	Parents’ 2006 exemptions	Used in the editing system. Used to calculate estimated tax for verification purposes. Also used by states to award student financial assistance.
82-83	Parents’ 2006 income earned from work	Section 475(c)(3). Used to determine the Social Security Tax Allowance for the computation of available income for the parent contribution. Section 475(c)(5). Also used to determine an employment expense allowance for parents of dependent students, and available income for the parental contribution.
84-85	Parents’ 2006 amounts from Worksheets A and B (Untaxed Income)	Section 480(b) and 480(c) of the Act. Untaxed income for parents is used to determine available income for computing parental and student contribution.
86	Parents’ 2006 amount from Worksheet C (Income Exclusions)	Sections 480(a) and 480(e) of the Act. Used to derive a figure for “excludable income” such as student financial aid, child support paid, etc., which is not to be included in defining total income for purposes of computing the expected family contribution.
87	Parents’ cash, savings, and checking accounts	Sections 474(b)(4), 475(d)(2)(A) and 480(f) of the Act. The parent’s cash, savings and checking accounts are used to determine net worth for calculating EFC.
88	Parents’ current net worth of investments	Sections 474(b)(4), 475(d)(2)(B), and 480(f) of the Act. The parent’s other real estate and investments and associated debts are used to determine adjusted net worth for calculating EFC.
89	Parents’ current net worth of business and/or investment farm	Sections 474(b)(4), 475(h), 476(c)(2)(C), 477(c)(2)(C) and 480(f) of the Act. The parent’s business and/or investment farm assets and associated debts are used to determine net worth for calculating EFC for both dependent and independent students. A family farm, on which the family resides, is excluded from the calculation of EFC. A family business with fewer than 100 full-time employees is also excluded.

Step Five

90	Number in student household	Sections 476(b)(1), 477(b)(4), and 480(l) of the Act. Used to determine an income protection allowance for computation of independent student income.
91	Number in college in 2007-2008	Sections 476(a)(2) and 477(a)(3) of the Act. The expected family contribution from income and assets is divided by the number of persons in college (excluding parents) to determine the expected family contribution for the applicant.
92-96	Student or Spouse received federal benefits in 2006	Sections 479(b) and 479(c). The Higher Education Reauthorization Act (HERA) states that a family is eligible for the simplified needs and automatic zero calculation if the student or parents received benefits and met the appropriate income threshold.

Step Six

97a-97h

Students’ college and expected housing status

Used to generate electronic data rosters of applicants to educational institutions. These rosters facilitate the disbursement of aid by notifying financial aid administrators of the status of applicants who attend or may attend the institution. Reduces burden and facilitates the award process.

Step Seven

98-99	Certifications, date, and signatures	Serves as certification of the validity of the information reported on the application and as an edit.
100-102	Preparer’s Information	Section 483(e) of the Act requires that any application shall include the name, address, organizational affiliation, and either the social security number or employer identification number of the preparer of such application.

Data Elements and Justification 7

2007-2008 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)