§ 1087ss. Simplified needs test
(a)
Simplified application section
(2)
Reduced data requirements
The simplified application form shall—
(A)
in the case of a family meeting the requirements of subsection (b)(1) of this section, permit such family to submit only the data elements required under subsection (b)(2) of this section for the purposes of establishing eligibility for student financial aid under this part; and
(B)
in the case of a family meeting the requirements of subsection (c) of this section, permit such family to be treated as having an expected family contribution equal to zero for purposes of establishing such eligibility and to submit only the data elements required to make a determination under subsection (c) of this section.
(b)
Simplified needs test
(1)
Eligibility
An applicant is eligible to file a simplified form containing the elements required by paragraph (2) if—
(2)
Simplified test elements
The six elements to be used for the simplified needs analysis are—
(F)
an allowance (A) for State and other taxes, as defined in section
1087oo
(c)(2) of this title for dependent students and in section
1087qq
(b)(2) of this title for independent students with dependents other than a spouse, or (B) for State and other income taxes, as defined in section
1087pp
(b)(2) of this title for independent students without dependents other than a spouse.
(3)
Qualifying forms
In the case of an independent student, the student, or in the case of a dependent student, the family, files a form described in this subsection, or subsection (c), as the case may be, if the student or family, as appropriate, files—
(A)
a form
1040A or
1040EZ (including any prepared or electronic version of such form) required pursuant to title 26;
(B)
a form
1040 (including any prepared or electronic version of such form) required pursuant to title 26, except that such form shall be considered a qualifying form only if the student or family files such form in order to take a tax credit under section
25A of title
26, and would otherwise be eligible to file a form described in subparagraph (A); or
(c)
Zero expected family contribution
The Secretary shall consider an applicant to have an expected family contribution equal to zero if—
(2)
in the case of an independent student with dependents other than a spouse—
(A)
the student (and the student’s spouse, if any)—
(B)
the sum of the adjusted gross income of the student and spouse (if appropriate) is less than or equal to $30,000.
An individual is not required to qualify or file for the earned income credit in order to be eligible under this subsection. The Secretary shall annually adjust the income level necessary to qualify an applicant for the zero expected family contribution. The income level shall be adjusted according to increases in the Consumer Price Index, as defined in section
1087rr
(f) of this title.
(d)
Definitions
In this section:
(2)
Means-tested Federal benefit program
The term “means-tested Federal benefit program” means a mandatory spending program of the Federal Government, other than a program under this subchapter and part
C of subchapter
I of chapter
34 of title
42, in which eligibility for the program’s benefits, or the amount of such benefits, are determined on the basis of income or resources of the individual or family seeking the benefit, and may include such programs as—
(A)
the supplemental security income program under title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.);
(B)
the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
(C)
the free and reduced price school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.);
(D)
the program of block grants for States for temporary assistance for needy families established under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);