Data Elements Justification

Data Elements and Justification

2016-2017 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Question Number(s)	Data Element(s)	Data Element(s) Justification	FAFSA on the Web Treatment Data elements are presented to all applicants, unless otherwise noted. Note that questions are not presented in numerical order online.
Step One (Student)
1-3	Student’s name	1. Record identification. 2. Database matches.	Questions 1-3 are pre-filled for renewal applicants.
4-7	Student’s permanent mailing address	Applicants that do not provide an e-mail address must provide a permanent mailing address in order to receive their FAFSA processing results.	Questions 4-7 are pre-filled for renewal applicants.
8	Student’s Social Security Number (SSN)	1. Section 484(a)(4)(B) of the Higher Education Act (HEA). To be eligible for Title IV student aid, a student must file with the application such student's SSN except for applicants from the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau. (See 34 CFR 668.32(i)) 2. Record identification. 3. Database matches. 4. Identifies duplicate applications. 5. Valid SSN is a criteria to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.	SSN is hard-coded for all initial applications once it is entered and pre-filled for renewal applicants.
9	Student’s date of birth	1. Section 476(c)(3) and 477(c)(3) of the HEA. 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 with question number 46: "Were you born before January 1,1993?”	Used to answer dependency Question 46. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
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.	Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
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. Also used for collection of grant overpayments.	Questions 11-12 are only displayed when student response is “yes” to the filtering question - “Do you have a driver’s license information that you want to provide” Questions 11-12 are pre-filled for renewal applicants.
13	Student’s e-mail address	Used to communicate with the student electronically.	Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
14	Student’s citizenship	Section 484(a)(5) of the HEA 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 citizen or permanent resident, or other persons who meet special conditions. ED performs database matches with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and DHS to verify eligibility.	Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
15	Student’s Alien Registration Number	Section 484(h) of the HEA requires institutional collection and verification of eligible noncitizen status. 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.	Question 15 is only displayed when student response to Question 14 is “I am an eligible noncitizen”. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
16	Student’s marital status	Sections 474(b)(5), 476(b)(4), and 477(b)(5) of the HEA. Used in determining the expected family contribution for independent students. Used in determining the appropriate independent formula and for the employment expense allowance calculation.	Used to answer dependency Question 47. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
17	Date student was married, widowed, separated, or divorced	Section 483(a)(1) of the HEA requires inclusion of data items selected in consultation with the states to assist the states in awarding state student financial assistance. Marital status date is a criteria used in determining a student’s eligibility to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.	Question 17 is only displayed when student response to Question 16 is “Married/Remarried, Separated, or Divorced/Widowed”. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
18	Student’s state of legal residence	Sections 475(g)(3), 476(b)(2), and 477(b)(2) of the HEA. Used to determine an allowance for state and local taxes for the computation of the dependent and independent student’s available taxable income.	Filtering question is presented using student’s state as provided in Question 6. e.g., “Have you lived in the state of Ohio for at least five years?” If “yes” student skips Questions 19-20. If “no” student is presented with Questions 19-20. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
19	Student became resident of state prior to January 1, 2011	Section 483(a)(1) of the HEA requires inclusion of data items selected in consultation with the states to assist the states in awarding state student financial assistance.	Question 19 is only displayed if student was presented with Question 18. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
20	Student’s date of legal residence in state	Section 483(a)(1) of the HEA requires inclusion of data items selected in consultation with the states to assist the states in awarding state student financial assistance.	Question 20 is only displayed if student response to Question 19 is “No”. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
21-22	Selective Service registration	Section 484(n) of the HEA requires a student to register with the Selective Service System to be eligible for federal student aid.	Question 21 is asked to determine gender. Question 21 is pre-filled for renewal applicants. Question 22 which is the Selective Service System registration option, is only asked of males that are 26 and younger.
23	Drug Conviction	Section 484(r)(1) of the HEA denies Title IV eligibility to applicants with drug-related convictions under certain circumstances.	Students who “never attended college” as determined in Question 29 or who answer “No” to the filtering question – “Have you ever received federal student aid?”, will not be asked Question 23.
24-25	Highest educational level completed by student’s Parent 1 and Parent 2	Section 483(q)(1) of the HEA 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.	Questions 24-25 are pre-filled for renewal applicants.
26	High school completion status	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) of the HEA requires inclusion of data items selected in consultation with the states to assist the states in awarding state student financial assistance.	Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
27	Name, city and state of the high school where student received or will receive their high school diploma	Used by the Department to determine the validity of the student’s high school diploma. Students are required to have a valid high school diploma or its recognized equivalent in order to receive federal student aid.	Question 27 will only be displayed if the student indicates they will have a “high school diploma” in Question 26. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
28	First bachelor’s degree	Section 401(a)(1) of the HEA limits Federal Pell Grant eligibility to students pursuing an undergraduate course of study. Section 413B(b)(1) of the HEA limits Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant eligibility to students pursuing an undergraduate course of study.	Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
29	Student’s grade level in 2016-2017	Used to determine loan limits under the Federal Direct Loan program.	Used to pre-fill Question 23 and Question 48.
30	Degree/Certificate student will be working on in 2016-2017	Section 483(a)(1) of the HEA requires inclusion of data items selected in consultation with the states to assist the states in awarding state student financial assistance.	Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
31	Interest in work-study	Used by institutions to determine if student is interested in work-study.

Question Number(s)	Data Element(s)	Data Element(s) Justification	FAFSA on the Web Treatment Data element is presented to all applicants, unless otherwise noted. Note that questions are not presented in numerical order online.
Step Two (Student) – Within FAFSA on the Web, the questions in this step (questions 32-45) are not presented to students whose parents receive an automatic zero EFC determination.
32-33	Type of tax return	Used for verification of income reported on the application. Question 32 is a criterion in determining a student’s eligibility to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.	These questions are not presented to students whose parents receive an automatic zero EFC determination. Question 32 is used to determine if students have filed, will file, or are not going to file taxes. Question 33 will not be presented to students who indicate in Question 32 that they are “not going to file” taxes. Response to Question 33 may be available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
34	Tax filing status	Used to identify instances when the reported FAFSA marital status is inconsistent with the IRS tax return filing status. Question 34 is a criterion in determining a student’s eligibility to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.	Question 34 will not be presented to students who indicate in Question 32 that they are “not going to file” taxes.
35	Eligible to file a 1040A or 1040EZ	Used for determining eligibility for and calculation of the simplified needs tests and automatic zero EFC under Section 479 of the HEA.	This question is only presented to independent students. Question 35 will not be presented to independent students that: Indicated in Question 32 that they are “not going to file” taxes; Indicated in Question 33 that they have filed an “IRS 1040A or 1040EZ”; Do not qualify for the automatic zero EFC determination or simplified needs test based on income; Respond “yes” to Question 102 (dislocated worker); or Indicated in Question 97-101 that they received federal benefits.
36	2015 adjusted gross income (AGI)	Sections 475(g)(1), 476(b)(1), 477(b)(1), 479, and 480(a) of the HEA. 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.	This question is not presented to students whose parents receive an automatic zero EFC determination. Question 36 will not be presented to students who indicate in Question 32 that they are “not going to file” taxes. Response to question may be available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
37	2015 income tax paid	Sections 475(g)(2)(A), 476(b)(1)(A)(i) and 477(b)(1)(A) of the HEA. 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.	This question is not presented to dependent students whose parents receive an automatic zero EFC determination. This question is not presented to independent students who receive an automatic zero EFC determination. Question 37 will not be presented to students who indicate in Question 32 that they are “not going to file” taxes. Response to question may be available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
38	2015 exemptions	Used in the editing system. Also used to calculate estimated tax for verification purposes. Used by states to award student financial assistance.	This question is not presented to dependent students whose parents receive an automatic zero EFC determination. This question is not presented to independent students who receive an automatic zero EFC determination. Question 38 will not be presented to students who indicate in Question 32 that they are “not going to file” taxes. Response to question may be available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
39-40	2015 income earned from work	Sections 475(g)(4), 476(b)(3), and 477(b)(3) of the HEA. 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) of the HEA. Also used to determine an employment expense allowance for independent students, and available income for the independent student’s contribution.	These questions are not presented to students whose parents receive an automatic zero EFC determination. Question 39 is for student’s earnings and Question 40 is for student’s spouse’s earnings. Question 40 only displays if student’s marital status is “married.” Response to question 39 may be available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool when student’s marital status is single, separated, divorced or widowed.
41	Cash, savings and checking accounts	Sections 474(b)(4), 475(h), 476(c)(2)(A), 477(c)(2)(A) and 480(f) of the HEA. 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.	This question is not presented to: Students whose parents receive an automatic zero EFC determination; Students whose parents meet the simplified needs test; Independent students who meet the simplified needs test; or Independent students who indicate they have less than the system calculated asset protection allowance.
42	Current net worth of investments	Sections 474(b)(4), 475(h), 476(c)(2)(B), 477(c)(2)(B) and 480(f) of the HEA. 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.	This question is not presented to: Students whose parents receive an automatic zero EFC determination; Students whose parents meet the simplified needs test; Independent students who meet the simplified needs test; or Independent students who indicate they have less than the calculated asset protection allowance.
43	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 HEA. 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 that is owned and controlled by the family with fewer than 100 full-time equivalent employees is also excluded.	This question is not presented to: Students whose parents receive an automatic zero EFC determination; Students whose parents meet the simplified needs test; Independent students who meet the simplified needs test; or Independent students who indicate they have less than the system calculated asset protection allowance.
44	Student and spouse additional financial information	Sections 480(a) and 480(e) of the HEA. 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.	This question is not presented to dependent students whose parents receive an automatic zero EFC determination or to independent students that receive an automatic zero EFC determination. Response to 44a (education credits) may be available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
45	Student and spouse untaxed income	Sections 480(b) and 480(c) of the HEA. Untaxed income for students and parents is used to determine available income for computing parental and student contribution.	This question is not presented to dependent students whose parents receive an automatic zero EFC determination or to independent students that receive an automatic zero EFC determination. Response to 45b (IRA deductions and payments), 45d (tax exempt interest income), 45e (untaxed portions of IRA distributions), and 45f (untaxed portions of pensions) may be available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
Step Three (Student) FAFSA on the Web presents dependency status questions in the following order- (46, 47, 48, 51, 52, 49, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
46	Born before January 1, 1993	Sections 480(d)(1)(A) through 480(d)(1)(I) of the HEA. Used to determine whether applicant qualifies as a dependent or independent student. Questions 54-58 were specifically mandated by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). These elements (questions 46 through 58) are needed to determine whether parental data must be supplied and, therefore, which sections of the form the applicant needs to complete.	Question is pre-filled based on student’s response to Question 9. However, this question is not presented if student is determined to be independent by the response to date of birth.
47	Married		Question is pre-filled based on student’s response to Question 16. However, this question is not presented if student is determined to be independent by the response to marital status.
48	Enrolled in graduate or professional program in 2016-2017		Question is pre-filled based on student’s response to Question 29. However, this question is not presented if student is determined to be independent by the response to grade level in college. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
49	Currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces?		This question is not presented if student is determined to be independent in Questions 46-48 or 51-52. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
50	Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?		This question is not presented if student is determined to be independent in Questions 46-49 or 51-52. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
51	Have children?		Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
52	Have non-children dependents other than a spouse?		Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
53	After the age of 13 - orphan; ward or dependent of the court; or in foster care?		. This question is not presented if student is determined to be independent in Questions 46-52. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
54	Court decided you are an emancipated minor?		This question is not presented if student is determined to be independent in Questions 46-53. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
55	Court decided you are in a legal guardianship?		This question is not presented if student is determined to be independent in Questions 46-54. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
56	High school district homeless liaison determined you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?		Questions 56-58 are not presented if student is determined to be independent in Questions 46-55. If students are dependent, questions 56-58 will only be presented if student is 21 or younger and answers “Yes” to the Homeless Filtering question – “On or after July 1, 2015, were you homeless or were you at risk of being homeless?” Students aged 22 or 23 who answer “Yes” to the Homeless Filtering question will be taken down an alternate path to allow them to submit their application without parental data and follow-up with the financial aid office.
57	Director of HUD-funded emergency shelter program determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
58	Director of runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
Step Four (Parent) – Within FAFSA on the Web, the questions in this step (questions 59-94) are only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information (e.g., health professional students).
59	Parents’ current marital status	Section 475(f) of the HEA. Used in determining whose income is to be reported in calculating the expected family contribution.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information.
60	Date parents were married, widowed, separated, or divorced	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. Marital status date is a criterion in determining a parent’s eligibility to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Question 60 is only displayed when parent response to Question 59 is “Married/ Remarried, Divorced/Separated, or Widowed.” Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
61-68	Parents’ Social Security Numbers, last names, first initials, and dates of birth	Sections 483(a)(7) and 484(q) of the HEA . 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. Valid SSN is a criterion to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Questions 61-64 ask for demographic data on student’s Parent 1. Questions 65-68 ask for demographic data on student’s Parent 2. For students who indicate parents are never married, divorced or separated, or widowed, a filtering question “Which parent’s information will be provided?” is asked. Based on student’s response, demographic questions for Father or Mother are presented. Questions 61-68 are pre-filled for renewal applicants.
69	Parents’ e-mail address	Used to communicate with the parents electronically.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
70	Parents’ state of legal residence	Section 475(c)(1) and 475(c)(2) of the HEA. Used to determine state and other tax allowances for the computation of parental available income.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Filtering question is presented using student’s state as provided in Question 6. e.g., “Have your parents lived in the state of Ohio for at least five years?” If “yes” student skips Questions 70-72. If “no” student is presented with Questions 70-71. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
71-72	Parents’ date of legal residence in state	Section 483(a)(1) of the HEA requires inclusion of data items selected in consultation with the states to assist the states in awarding state student financial assistance.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Question 71 is only displayed if parent was presented with Question 70. Question 72 is only displayed if parents’ response to Question 71 is “No”. Questions 71-72 are pre-filled for renewal applicants.
73	Number in parents’ household	Sections 475(c)(1), 475(c)(4), and 480(l) of the HEA. Used to determine an income protection allowance for computation of parental income.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information.
74	Parents’ number in college in 2016-2017	Section 475(b)(3) of the HEA. The expected family contribution from income and assets is divided by the number of persons in college (excluding parents) who are enrolled on at least a half time basis in a recognized degree or certificate program at an eligible institution to determine the family contribution for the applicant.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information.
75-79	Parents received federal benefits in 2014 or 2015	Sections 479(b) and 479(c) of the HEA. The Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA) states that a family is eligible for the simplified needs or automatic zero EFC calculation if the student or parents received benefits and met the appropriate income threshold.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Questions 75-79 will not be presented to parents that: Do not qualify for the automatic zero EFC determination or simplified needs test based on income; or Respond “yes” to Question 84 (dislocated worker).
80-81	Parents’ type of tax return	Used for verification of income reported on the application. Question 80 is a criterion in determining a parent’s eligibility to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Question 80 is used to determine if parents have filed, will file, or are not going to file taxes. Question 81 will not be presented to parents who indicate in Question 80 that they are “not going to file” taxes. Response to question 81 may be available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
82	Parents’ tax filing status	Used to identify instances when the reported FAFSA marital status is inconsistent with the IRS tax return filing status.	Question 82 will not be presented to parents who indicate in Question 80 that they are “not going to file” taxes. Question 82 will not be presented to parents who indicate in Question 59 that they are “unmarried and both parents living together.”
83	Parents’ Eligible to file a 1040A or 1040EZ	Used for determining eligibility for and calculation of the simplified needs tests and automatic zero EFC under Section 479 of the HEA.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Question 83 will not be presented to parents that: Indicated in Question 80 that they are “not going to file” taxes; Indicated in Question 81 that they have filed an “IRS 1040A or 1040EZ”; Do not qualify for the automatic zero EFC determination or simplified needs test based on income; Respond “yes” to Question 84 (dislocated worker); or Indicated in Question 75-79 that they received federal benefits.
84	Dislocated worker	The College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) authorized simplified needs test and automatic zero EFC formula treatment under Section 479 for parents of dependent students if either parent is a dislocated worker.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information.
85	Parents’ 2015 AGI	Sections 475(b)(1) and 480(a) of the HEA. The base year income for the dependent student’s parents is used to determine total and available income for the computation of parental contribution.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Question 85 will not be presented to parents who indicate in Question 80 that they are “not going to file” taxes. Response to question 85 may be available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
86	Parents’ 2015 income tax paid	Section 475(c)(1)(A) of the HEA. The amounts of federal income taxes of the dependent student’s parents are used in determining contribution from available income.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Question 86 will not be presented to parents that: Indicate in Question 80 that they are “not going to file” taxes; Qualify for the automatic zero EFC determination. Response to question 86 may be available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
87	Parents’ 2015 exemptions	Used in the editing system. Used to calculate estimated tax for verification purposes. Also used by states to award student financial assistance.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Question 87 will not be presented to parents that: Indicate in Question 80 that they are “not going to file” taxes; Qualify for the automatic zero EFC determination. Response to question 87 may be available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
88-89	Parents’ 2015 income earned from work	Section 475(c)(3) of the HEA. Used to determine the Social Security Tax Allowance for the computation of available income for the parent contribution. Section 475(c)(5) of the HEA. Also used to determine an employment expense allowance for parents of dependent students, and available income for the parental contribution.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Question 88 is for Parent 1 earnings and Question 89 is for Parent 2 earnings. These questions are dynamically displayed based on parent’s marital status. Response to question 88 or 89 may be available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool when parent’s marital status is never married, divorced or separated, or widowed.
90	Parents’ cash, savings, and checking accounts	Sections 474(b)(4), 475(d)(2)(A) and 480(f) of the HEA. The parent’s cash, savings and checking accounts are used to determine net worth for calculating EFC.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Question 90 will not be presented to parents that qualify for the automatic zero EFC determination, the simplified needs test, or who indicate they have less than the system calculated asset protection allowance.
91	Parents’ current net worth of investments	Sections 474(b)(4), 475(d)(2)(B), and 480(f) of the HEA. The parent’s other real estate and investments and associated debts are used to determine adjusted net worth for calculating EFC.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Question 91 will not be presented to parents that qualify for the automatic zero EFC determination, the simplified needs test, or who indicate they have less than the system calculated asset protection allowance.
92	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 HEA. The parent’s business and/or investment farm assets and associated debts are used to determine net worth for calculating EFC. A family farm, on which the family resides and materially operates, is excluded from the calculation of EFC. A family business that is owned and controlled by the family with fewer than 100 full-time employees is also excluded.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Question 92 will not be presented to parents that qualify for the automatic zero EFC determination, the simplified needs test, or who indicate they have less than the system calculated asset protection allowance.
93	Parents’ additional financial aid information	Sections 480(a) and 480(e) of the HEA. 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.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Question 93 will not be presented to parents that qualify for the automatic zero EFC determination. Response to 93a (education credits) may be available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
94	Parents’ untaxed income	Section 480(b) and 480(c) of the HEA. Untaxed income for parents is used to determine available income for computing parental and student contribution.	Only presented to dependent students or students who indicate they wish to provide parental information. Question 94 will not be presented to parents that qualify for the automatic zero EFC determination. Response to 94b (IRA deductions and payments), 94d (tax exempt interest income), 94e (untaxed portions of IRA distributions), and 94f (untaxed portions of pensions) may be available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
Step Five (Student) - Within FAFSA on the Web, the questions in this step (questions 95-102) are only presented to independent students.
95	Number in student household	Sections 476(b)(1), 477(b)(4), and 480(l) of the HEA. Used to determine an income protection allowance for computation of independent student income.	Only presented to independent students. May be pre-filled based on student response to Questions 16, 51, and 52 (marital status, children, and other dependents).
96	Number in college in 2016-2017	Sections 476(a)(2) and 477(a)(3) of the HEA. The expected family contribution from income and assets is divided by the number of persons in college who are enrolled on at least a half-time basis at an eligible institution to determine the expected family contribution for the applicant.	Only presented to independent students.
97-101	Student or Spouse received federal benefits in 2014 or 2015	Sections 479(b) and 479(c). The Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA) states that a family is eligible for the simplified needs or automatic zero EFC calculation if the student or parents received benefits and met the appropriate income threshold.	Only presented to independent students. Questions 97-101 will not be presented to independent students that: Do not qualify for the automatic zero EFC determination or simplified needs test; or Respond “yes” to Question 102 (dislocated worker).
102	Dislocated worker	The College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA), Section 479 authorizes simplified needs test and automatic zero EFC formula treatment for independent students if either the student or the student’s spouse is a dislocated worker. Consistent with Section 479(c), an independent student with no dependents other than a spouse remains ineligible for an automatic zero EFC determination.	Only presented to independent students.
Step Six (Student)
103a-103h	Student’s college selections and housing plan at each college	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. The paper FAFSA allows entry of four federal school codes. Questions 103a-103h are presented on the paper FAFSA. Beginning in 2016-17, the schools and housing plans listed by the applicant are not included on the ISIR that is sent to schools, with the exception of the school receiving the ISIR.	FAFSA on the Web allows entry of ten school codes. Questions 103a-103t are presented online.
Step Seven (Student and Parents)
104-105	Certifications, date, and signatures	Serves as certification of the validity of the information reported on the application and as an edit.
106-108	Preparer’s Information	Section 483(e) of the HEA 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.	Questions 106-108 will only be presented if response is “Yes” to the filtering question – “Are you a preparer?”

Data Elements and Justification

2016-2017Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Last Updated: 1/24/2021 5