(a) General rule for determination of expected family contribution
The expected family contribution—
(1) for a dependent student shall be determined in accordance with section 1087oo of this title;
(2) for a single independent student or a married independent student without dependents (other than a spouse) shall be determined in accordance with section 1087pp of this title; and
(3) for an independent student with dependents other than a spouse shall be determined in accordance with section 1087qq of this title.
(b) Data elements
The following data elements are considered in determining the expected family contribution:
(1) the available income of (A) the student and the student's spouse, or (B) the student and the student's parents, in the case of a dependent student;
(2) the number of dependents in the family of the student;
(3) the number of dependents in the family of the student, excluding the student's parents, who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment, on at least a half-time basis, in a degree, certificate, or other program leading to a recognized educational credential at an institution of higher education that is an eligible institution in accordance with the provisions of section 1094 of this title and for whom the family may reasonably be expected to contribute to their postsecondary education;
(4) the net assets of (A) the student and the student's spouse, and (B) the student and the student's parents, in the case of a dependent student;
(5) the marital status of the student;
(6) the age of the older parent, in the case of a dependent student, and the student; and
(7) the additional expenses incurred (A) in the case of a dependent student, when both parents of the student are employed or when the family is headed by a single parent who is employed, or (B) in the case of an independent student, when the student is married and the student's spouse is employed, or when the employed student qualifies as a surviving spouse or as a head of a household under section 2 of title 26.
Amendments
1998—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 105–244 inserted ", excluding the student's parents," after "family of the student".
1992—Pub. L. 102–325 substituted "Determination of expected family contribution; data elements" for "Data elements used in determining expected family contribution" in section catchline and amended text generally, adding subsec. (a), designating existing provisions as subsec. (b) and inserting heading, adding the age of the older parent, in the case of a dependent student, and the student as a data element and striking out consideration of any unusual medical and dental expenses and consideration of the number of dependent children other than the student enrolled in a private elementary or secondary institution and the unreimbursed tuition paid as data elements.
1988—Par. (8). Pub. L. 100–369 substituted "Internal Revenue Code of 1986" for "Internal Revenue Code of 1954", which for purposes of codification was translated as "title 26" thus requiring no change in text.
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 105–244, effective Oct. 7, 1998, and applicable with respect to determinations of need under this part for academic years beginning on or after July 1, 2000, see section 480A of Pub. L. 105–244, set out as a note under section 1087kk of this title.
Effective Date of 1992 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 102–325 applicable with respect to determinations of need under this part for award years beginning on or after July 1, 1993, see section 471(b) of Pub. L. 102–325, set out as a note under section 1087kk of this title.
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