Each individual seeking to apply for Federal financial aid under this subchapter for award year 2024-2025 and any subsequent award year shall file a free application with the Secretary, known as the "Free Application for Federal Student Aid", to determine eligibility for such aid, as described in paragraph (2), and in accordance with section 1087ss of this title.
The Secretary shall make available, for the purposes of paragraph (1), a free application to determine the eligibility of a student for Federal financial aid under this subchapter.
The applicant, and, if necessary, the parents or spouse of the applicant, shall provide the Secretary with the applicable information described in clause (ii) in order to be eligible for Federal financial aid under this subchapter.
The information described in this clause is the following:
Any information requested during the process of creating an account for completing the free application under this subsection, shall, to the fullest extent possible, not be required a second time for the same award year, or in a duplicative manner, when completing such free application except in the case of an unusual situation, such as a temporary inability to access an account for completing such free application.
The Secretary shall provide a process by which an applicant shall confirm the accuracy of family size or update the family size with respect to such applicant for purposes of determining the need of such applicant for financial assistance under this subchapter based on a change in family size from the tax year data used for such determination.
The Secretary shall ensure that-
The Secretary shall disclose on the FAFSA that the student may, on a case-by-case basis, qualify for an adjustment under section 1087tt of this title to the cost of attendance or the values of the data items required to calculate the student's eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant or the student aid index for the student or parent.
The Secretary shall notify students and borrowers who wish to submit an application for Federal student financial aid under this subchapter (as well as parents and spouses who must sign such an application or request or a Master Promissory Note on behalf of those students and borrowers) of the authority of the Secretary to require that such persons affirmatively approve that the Internal Revenue Service disclose their tax return information as described in section 1098h of this title.
An applicant and, if necessary, the parents or spouse of the applicant shall provide the Secretary with authorization to disclose to an institution, State higher education agency, and scholarship organizations (designated (prior to December 19, 2019) by the Secretary under subsection (a)(3)(E)) 2 as in effect on such date 3, as specified by the applicant and in accordance with section 1098h of this title, in order for the applicant's eligibility for Federal financial aid programs, State financial aid programs, institutional financial aid programs, and scholarship programs at scholarship organizations (designated (prior to December 19, 2019) by the Secretary under subsection (a)(3)(E)) 2 as in effect on such date 3, to be determined, the following:
An applicant and, if necessary, the parents or spouse of the applicant may provide the Secretary with authorization to disclose to applicable agencies that handle applications for means-tested Federal benefit programs, as defined in section 1087ss(b)(4)(H) of this title, all information provided by the applicant on the application described by this subsection as well as such applicant's student aid index and scheduled Federal Pell Grant award to assist in identification, outreach and application efforts for the application, award, and administration of such means-tested Federal benefits programs, except such information shall not include Federal tax information as specified in section 6103(l)(13)(C) of title 26.
Upon receiving-
With respect to an applicant who has received income earned from work under part C of this subchapter, the Secretary shall take the steps necessary to collect information on the amount of such income for the purposes of calculating such applicant's student aid index and scheduled award for a Federal Pell Grant, if applicable, without adding additional questions to the FAFSA, including by collecting such information from institutions of higher education participating in work-study programs under part C of this subchapter.
Upon receiving and timely processing a free application that contains the information described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide to the applicant the following information based on full-time attendance for an academic year:
The Secretary shall redisclose, with authorization from the applicant in accordance with paragraph (2)(D)(i), to a State higher education agency administering State-based financial aid and serving the applicant's State of residence, the information described under section 6103(l)(13) of title 26 and information described in paragraph (2)(B) for the application, award, and administration of grants and other student financial aid provided directly from the State to be determined by such State. Such information shall include the list of institutions provided by the applicant on the application.
A State agency administering State-based financial aid-
A State may provide a consent process whereby an applicant may elect to share the information described in clause (i), except for the information described in section 6103(l)(13) of title 26, through explicit written consent to Federal, State, or local government agencies or tribal organizations to assist such applicant in applying for and receiving Federal, State, or local government assistance, or tribal assistance for any component of the applicant's cost of attendance that may include financial assistance or non-monetary assistance.
Any entity that receives applicant information under clause (iii) shall not sell, share, or otherwise use applicant information other than for the purposes outlined in clause (iii).
An institution-
Any entity that receives applicant information under subparagraph (C)(iii) shall not sell, share, or otherwise use applicant information other than for the purposes outlined in subparagraph (C).
An applicant's FAFSA information that includes return or return information as described in section 6103(l)(13) of title 26 may be disclosed or redisclosed (which shall include obtaining, sharing, or discussing such information) only in accordance with the procedures described in section 1098h of this title.
Prior to the design of the free application under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, on an annual basis-
In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may not require additional information to be submitted by an applicant (or the parents or spouse of an applicant) for Federal financial aid through other requirements or reporting, except as required under a process or procedure exercised in accordance with the authority under section 1087tt of this title.
The Secretary shall conduct outreach to States in order to research the benefits to students of States relying solely on the student aid index, scheduled Pell Grant Award, or the financial data made available, upon authorization by the applicant, as a result of an application for aid under this subsection for determining the eligibility of the applicant for State provided financial aid.
If a State determines that there is a need for additional data elements beyond those provided pursuant to this subsection for determining the eligibility of an applicant for State provided financial aid, the State shall forward a list of those additional data elements determined necessary, but not provided by virtue of the application under this subsection, to the Secretary. The Secretary shall make readily available to the public through the Department's websites and other means-
The Secretary shall conduct outreach to institutions of higher education to describe the benefits to students of relying solely on the student aid index, scheduled Pell Grant Award, or the financial data made available, upon authorization for release by the applicant, as a result of an application for aid under this subsection for determining the eligibility of the applicant for institutional financial aid. The Secretary shall make readily available to the public through its websites and other means-
The Secretary shall, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury-
Not later than 1 year after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall report to the authorizing committees on the progress of the Secretary in carrying out this subsection, including planning and stakeholder consultation. Such report shall include-
The Secretary shall provide updates to the authorizing committees-
The Secretary shall disclose in a consumer-tested format, upon completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid under this section, that the student may, on a case-by-case basis, qualify for an adjustment under section 1087tt of this title to the cost of attendance or the values of the data items required to calculate the Federal Pell Grant or the need analysis for the student or parent. Such disclosure shall specify-
Not later than 9 months after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall begin consumer testing the design of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid under this section with prospective first-generation college students, representatives of students (including low-income students, English learners, first-generation college students, adult students, veterans, servicemembers, and prospective students), students' families (including low-income families, families with English learners, families with first-generation college students, and families with prospective students), institutions of higher education, secondary school and postsecondary counselors, and nonprofit consumer groups.
For award year 2024-2025 and at least each fourth succeeding award year thereafter, the Secretary shall update the design of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid based on additional consumer testing with the populations described in subparagraph (A) in order to improve the usability and accessibility of the application.
The Secretary shall-
In order to streamline an applicant's experience in applying for financial aid, the Secretary shall allow an applicant who electronically applies for financial assistance under this subchapter for an academic year subsequent to an academic year for which such applicant applied for financial assistance under this subchapter to automatically electronically import all of the applicant's (including parents', guardians', or spouses', as applicable) identifying, demographic, and school data from the previous application and to update such information to reflect any circumstances that have changed.
The Secretary shall make the application under this section available through prevalent technology. Such technology shall, at a minimum, enable applicants to-
The Secretary shall-
The Secretary shall periodically conduct studies on-
The Secretary shall publish data in a publicly accessible manner-
The data described in paragraph (1)(D) with respect to homeless youth shall include, at a minimum, for each application cycle-
The Secretary may enter into data sharing agreements with the appropriate Federal or State agencies to conduct outreach regarding, and connect applicants directly with, the means-tested Federal benefit programs described in subsection (a)(2)(B)(ii)(XVII) for which the applicants may be eligible.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, the Secretary may permit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to be submitted without a signature, if a signature is subsequently submitted by the applicant, or if the applicant uses an access device provided by the Secretary.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, an applicant may use a preparer for consultative or preparation services for the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid without charging a fee to the applicant if the preparer-
The need for and eligibility of a student for financial assistance under this subchapter may be determined only by using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid developed by the Secretary under this section. Such application shall be produced, distributed, and processed by the Secretary, and no parent or student shall be charged a fee by the Secretary, a contractor, a third-party servicer or private software provider, or any other public or private entity for the collection, processing, or delivery of Federal financial aid through the use of such application. No data collected on a form for which a fee is charged shall be used to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid prescribed under this section, except that a Federal or State income tax form prepared by a paid income tax preparer or preparer service for the primary purpose of filing a Federal or State income tax return may be used to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid prescribed under this section.
The Secretary shall enable applicants to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid developed under this section and initiate the processing of such application, not later than January 1 of the applicant's planned year of enrollment, to the maximum extent practicable, on or around October 1 prior to the applicant's planned year of enrollment.
The Secretary shall maintain an electronic method for applicants to enter income and family size information to calculate a non-binding estimate of the applicant's Federal financial aid available under this subchapter and shall place such calculator on a prominent location at the beginning of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, an institution may not condition the packaging or receipt of Federal financial aid on the completion of additional requests for financial information beyond the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, unless such information is required for verification, a determination of independence, or professional judgement.
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.
2 So in original. The second closing parenthesis probably should not appear.
3 So in original. Probably should be followed by a closing parenthesis.
4 So in original. Probably should be "section 6103(l)(13)".
20 U.S.C. § 1090
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTThe Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(XVII)(aa), (dd), (ff), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620. Part A of title IV of the Act is classified generally to part A (§601 et seq.) of subchapter IV of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. Title XVI of the Act is classified generally to subchapter XVI (§1381 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42. Title XIX of the Act is classified generally to subchapter XIX (§1396 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables. The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(XVII)(bb), is Pub. L. 88-525, Aug. 31, 1964, 78 Stat. 703, which is classified generally to chapter 51 (§2011 et seq.) of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2011 of Title 7 and Tables. The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii)(XVII)(cc), is act June 4, 1946, ch. 281, 60 Stat. 230, which is classified generally to chapter 13 (§1751 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1751 of Title 42 and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONSA prior section 1090, Pub. L. 89-329, title IV, §483, as added Pub. L. 96-374, title IV, §451(a), Oct. 3, 1980, 94 Stat. 1448, related to forms and regulations for student assistance programs, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 99-498.
AMENDMENTS2022-Subsecs. (a)(1), (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 117-103 substituted "award year 2024-2025" for "award year 2023-2024". 2020- Pub. L. 116-260 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to forms and regulations. 2010-Subsec. (e)(3)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 111-152 substituted "based on the Federal Pell Grant amount, determined under section 1070a(b)(2)(A) of this title, for which a student is eligible at the time of application" for "based on the maximum Federal Pell Grant award at the time of application".2009-Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 111-39, §407(b)(3)(A), inserted "that" after "except". Subsec. (e)(8)(A). Pub. L. 111-39, §407(b)(3)(B), substituted "determine" for "identify".2008-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110-315, §483(a)(1), added pars. (1) to (12) and struck out former pars. (1) to (7), which related to forms required, charges for forms, distribution of data, contracts for collection and processing, electronic forms, third party servicers and private software providers, and parents' social security numbers and birth dates.Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110-315, §483(a)(2), (3), redesignated subsec. (c) as (b) and struck out former subsec. (b) which related to streamlined reapplication process. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110-315, §483(a)(4), substituted "or other appropriate provider of technical assistance and information on postsecondary educational services for individuals with disabilities, including the National Technical Assistance Center under section 1140q of this title. The Secretary shall continue to implement, to the extent practicable, a toll-free telephone based system to permit applicants who meet the requirements of subsection (b) or (c) of section 1087ss of this title to submit an application over such system" for "that is authorized under section 1485(d)(2)(C) of this title". Pub. L. 110-315, §483(a)(3), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (b). Pub. L. 110-315, §103(b) (10), substituted "authorizing committees" for "Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives".Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110-315, §483(a)(5), added subsec. (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (c).Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110-315, §483(a)(2), (5), added subsec. (e) and struck out former subsec. (e). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Any financial aid application required to be made under this subchapter shall include the name, signature, address or employer's address, social security number or employer identification number, and organizational affiliation of the preparer of such financial aid application." Subsecs. (f) to (h). Pub. L. 110-315, §483(a)(5), added subsecs. (f) to (h).1998-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105-244, §482(a)(1), substituted "form development" for "form" in heading. Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105-244, §482(a)(2)(D), struck out at end "For the purpose of collecting eligibility and other data for the purpose of part B of this subchapter, the Secretary shall develop a separate, identifiable loan application document (pursuant to section 1082(m) of this title) that applicants or institutions in which the students are enrolled or accepted for enrollment shall submit directly to eligible lenders and on which the applicant shall clearly indicate a choice of a lender." Pub. L. 105-244, §482(a)(2)(C), substituted "The Secretary shall include on the form developed under this subsection such data items as the Secretary determines are appropriate for inclusion. Such items shall be selected in consultation with States to assist in the awarding of State financial assistance. In no case shall the number of such data items be less than the number included on the form on October 7, 1998." for "The Secretary may include on the form developed pursuant to this paragraph not more than eight nonfinancial data items selected in consultation with the States to assist the States in awarding State student financial assistance." Pub. L. 105-244, §482(a)(2)(A), (B), substituted "A through D" for "A, C, and D" and struck out "and to determine the need of a student for the purpose of part B of this subchapter" after "part A of this subchapter)".Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 105-244, §482(a)(3), substituted "A through D" for "A, C, and D" in two places and struck out "and the need of a student for the purpose of part B of this subchapter," before "may only be determined" and "or have the student's need established for the purpose of part B of this subchapter" before ", except by use of".Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 105-244, §482(a)(4), amended heading and text of par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Institutions of higher education and States shall receive, without charge, the data collected by the Secretary using the form developed pursuant to this section for the purposes of determining need and eligibility for institutional and State financial aid awards. Entities designated by institutions of higher education or States to receive such data shall be subject to all requirements of this section, unless such requirements are waived by the Secretary."Subsec. (a)(5) to (7). Pub. L. 105-244, §482(a)(5), added pars. (5) to (7).Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 105-244, §482(b), struck out ", within 240 days after July 23, 1992," after "The Secretary shall".Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105-244, §482(c), substituted "and the Workforce" for "and Labor". Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105-244, §482(d), substituted "section 1485(d)(2)(C)" for "section 1433(c)". Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105-244, §482(e), struck out heading and text of subsec. (f). Text read as follows: "Nothing in section 1544 of the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 shall relieve processors or institutions of higher education of any or all obligations under this section." 1993-Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 103-208, §2(h)(8), made technical amendment to reference to section 1070a(d) of this title to correct reference to corresponding section of original act.Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 103-208, §2(h)(9), inserted at end "No data collected on a form for which a fee is charged shall be used to complete the form prescribed under paragraph (1)." Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 103-208, §2(h) (10), inserted at end "Entities designated by institutions of higher education or States to receive such data shall be subject to all requirements of this section, unless such requirements are waived by the Secretary."Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 103-208, §2(h) (12), redesignated subsecs. (e) and (f) as (d) and (e), respectively.Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 103-208, §2(h) (12), redesignated subsec. (g) as (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (e). Pub. L. 103-208, §2(h) (11), substituted "address or employer's address, social security number or employer identification number," for "address, social security number,".Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 103-208, §2(h) (12), redesignated subsec. (g) as (f). 1992-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102-325, §483(a), added subsec. (a) and struck out former subsec. (a) which contained pars. (1) to (5) relating to a common financial aid form and processing of financial aid applications.Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102-325, §483(a), added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b) which related to certifications of capability of systems for determining expected family contributions.Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102-325, §483(b)(1), struck out subsec. (d) which related to provision of early notice to students of their potential eligibility for financial aid.Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102-325, §483(b)(2), amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) read as follows: "The Secretary shall contract for, or establish, and publicize a toll-free telephone number to provide timely and accurate information to the general public. The information provided shall include specific instructions on completing application forms for assistance under this subchapter."Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 102-325, §483(b)(1), (3), added subsecs. (f) and (g) and struck out former subsec. (f) which related to notice of student aid receipt. 1987-Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100-50, §15(3), (4), inserted in second sentence "or institutions in which the students are enrolled or accepted for enrollment" after "that applicants" and "and on which the applicant shall clearly indicate a choice of lender" before period at end.Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 100-50, §15(5), substituted "not less than 5" for "not less than 3" and inserted sentence at end providing that the Secretary not select new multiple data entry processors until certain examinations and recommendations are made by the Advisory Commission on Student Financial Assistance.Subsecs. (b) to (f). Pub. L. 100-50, §15(6), added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsecs. (b) to (e) as (c) to (f), respectively.
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2020 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 116-260 effective July 1, 2024, except as otherwise expressly provided, and applicable with respect to award year 2024-2025 and each subsequent award year, as determined under this chapter, see section 701(b) of Pub. L. 116-260, set out as a note under section 1001 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2010 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 111-152 effective July 1, 2010, see section 2101(c) of Pub. L. 111-152, set out as a note under section 1070a of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2009 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 111-39 effective as if enacted on the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110-315 (Aug. 14, 2008), see section 3 of Pub. L. 111-39, set out as a note under section 1001 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 105-244 effective Oct. 1, 1998, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 105-244, see section 3 of Pub. L. 105-244, set out as a note under section 1001 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 103-208 effective as if included in the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, Pub. L. 102-325 except as otherwise provided, see section 5(a) of Pub. L. 103-208, set out as a note under section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1987 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 100-50 effective as if enacted as part of the Higher Education Amendments of 1986, Pub. L. 99-498, see section 27 of Pub. L. 100-50, set out as a note under section 1001 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATESection effective Oct. 17, 1986, except as otherwise provided, see section 2 of Pub. L. 99-498, set out as a note under section 1001 of this title.Subsec. (e) of this section applicable to student assistance awarded for periods of enrollment beginning on or after July 1, 1987, see section 407(b) of Pub. L. 99-498, set out as a note under section 1091 of this title.
REPORTS Pub. L. 116-260, div. FF, title VII, §702(m)(2), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3182, provided that: "Notwithstanding section 701(b) of this title [set out as an Effective Date of 2020 Amendment note under section 1001 of this title], the Secretary of Education shall have the authority to issue reports and begin consumer testing prior to July 1, 2023, as provided in the amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section]."[Effective date of title VII of div. FF of Pub. L. 116-260 was changed from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, by section 102(a) of Pub. L. 117-103, see section 701(b) of div. FF of Pub. L. 116-260, set out as a note under section 1001 of this title. However, the July 1, 2023, date in section 702(m)(2) of Pub. L. 116-260, set out above, was not correspondingly amended.]
IDENTIFICATION OF FOSTER YOUTH ON FAFSA Pub. L. 113-235, §308, 128 Stat. 2504, provided that: "The Secretary of Education shall- "(1) modify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid described in section 483 of the HEA [Higher Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C. 1090] so that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid contains an individual box for the purpose of identifying students who are foster youth or were in the foster care system; and"(2) utilize such identification as a tool to notify students who are foster youth or were in the foster care system of their potential eligibility for Federal student aid, including postsecondary education programs through the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program and any other Federal programs under which such students may be eligible to receive assistance."Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation act: Pub. L. 113-76, §310, 128 Stat. 400.
DELAYED IMPLEMENTATION OF EZ FAFSA Pub. L. 111-39, §407, 123 Stat. 1950, provided that: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Education shall be required to carry out the requirements under the following provisions of section 483 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090) only for academic year 2010-2011 and subsequent academic years: "(1) In subsection (a) of such section-"(A) subparagraphs (A)(i) and (B) of paragraph (2);"(B) in paragraph (3)-"(i) the second sentence of subparagraph (A);"(ii) clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B); and"(iii) subparagraph (C);"(C) paragraph (4)(A)(iv); and"(D) paragraph (5)(E)."(2) Subsection (h) of such section."