Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 118.djvu/294

 118 STAT. 264 PUBLIC LAW 108–199—JAN. 23, 2004 (1) whether the methodology used to calculate the expected family contribution can be simplified without significant adverse effects on program intent, costs, integrity, delivery, and distribution of awards; (2) whether the number of data elements, and, accordingly, the number and complexity of questions asked of students and families, used to calculate the expected family contribution can be reduced without such adverse effects; (3) whether the procedures for determining such data ele ments, including determining and updating offsets and allow ances, is the most efficient, effective, and fair means to deter mine a family’s available income and assets; (4) whether the methodology used to calculate the expected family contribution, specifically the consideration of income earned by a dependent student and its effect on Pell grant eligibility, is an effective and fair means to determine a family’s available income and a student’s need; (5) whether the nature and timing of the application required in section 483 (a)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090(a)(1)), eligibility and award determina tion, financial aid processing, and funds delivery can be stream lined further for students and families, institutions, and States; (6) whether it is feasible to allow students to complete only those limited sections of the financial aid application that apply to their specific circumstances and the State in which they reside; (7) whether a widely disseminated printed form, or the use of an Internet or other electronic means, can be developed to notify individuals of an estimation of their approximate eligibility for grant, work study, and loan assistance upon completion and verification of the simplified application form; (8) whether information provided on other Federal forms (such as the form applying for supplemental security income under title XVI of the Social Security Act, the form for applying for food stamps under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and the schedule for applying for the earned income tax credit under section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) that are designed to determine eligibility for various Federal need based assistance programs could be used to qualify potential students for the simplified needs test; and (9) whether any proposed changes to data elements col lected, in addition to those used to calculate expected family contribution, or any proposed changes to the form’s design or the process of applying for aid, may have adverse effects on program costs, integrity, delivery, or distribution of awards, as well as, application development or application processing. (c) ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the feasibility study, the Advisory Committee’s primary objective under this sub section shall be simplifying the financial aid application forms and process and obtaining a substantial reduction in the number of required data items. In carrying out that objective, the Advisory Committee shall pay special attention to the needs of low income and moderate income students and families. (d) CONSULTATION.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee shall consult with a broad range of interested parties in higher education,

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