,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #acdf ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #g1 #bjai,mr4 ,booker 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,merkley1 ,ms4 ,cortez ,masto1 and ,mrs4 ,gillibrand7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife to require the ,secretary to provide for the use of data from the second preceding tax year to carry out the simplification of applications for the estimation and determination of financial aid eligibility1 to increase the income threshold to qualify for a student aid index equal to or less than zero1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,simplifying ,financial ,aid for ,students ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,references2 general effective date 7a7 ,references ,except as otherwise expressly provided1 whenever in this ,act there is a reference to1 or an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to1 or a repeal of1 a section or other provision1 the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja et seq474 7b7 ,general effective date ,except as otherwise provided in this ,act or the amendments made by this ,act1 this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act shall be effective with respect to determinations of need under part ,f of title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgkk et seq47 for the award year beginning ,july #a1 #bjbj4 #c4 ,early estimates of available aid ,section #dhc7;a7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#ac7 ,evaluation of early estimate tools ,not later than the award year beginning ,july #a1 #bjbj1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 evaluate any early estimate tools authorized under paragraph 7#i72 and 7,b7 identify and implement opportunities to streamline those tools to align with the provisions under part ,f4 4 #d4 ,student aid index 7a7 ,conforming amendments ,the ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking an expected family contribution each place the term appears and inserting a student aid index2 7#b7 by striking expected family contributions each place the term appears and inserting student aid indexes2 7#c7 by striking expected family contribution each place the term appears and inserting student aid index2 7#d7 in section #dgd-- 7,a7 in the section heading1 by striking expected family contribution and inserting student aid index2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7a71 in the heading1 by striking expected family contribution and inserting student aid index2 7#e7 in section #dge-- 7,a7 in the section heading1 by striking ,family contribution and inserting ,student aid index2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7a71 in the heading1 by striking expected family contribution and inserting student aid index2 7#f7 in section #dgf-- 7,a7 in the section heading1 by striking ,family contribution and inserting ,student aid index2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7a71 in the heading1 by striking expected family contribution and inserting student aid index2 7#g7 in section #dgg-- 7,a7 in the section heading1 by striking ,family contribution and inserting ,student aid index2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7a71 in the heading1 by striking expected family contribution and inserting student aid index2 7#h7 by striking family contribution each place the term appears and inserting student aid index2 and 7#i7 by striking family contributions each place the term appears and inserting student aid indexes4 7b7 ,calculation of negative student aid index ,the ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #dge-- 7,a7 in subsection 7b71 by striking requested2 and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting requested42 and 7,b7 in subsection 7g77#a71 by striking paragraph 7#e72 and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting paragraph 7#e742 7#b7 in section #dgf7;a71 by striking enrollment2 and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting enrollment42 7#c7 in section #dgg7;a71 by striking enrollment2 and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting enrollment42 and 7#d7 in section #dgi7;a77#b77;,b71 by inserting whose student aid index would otherwise be a positive number using only the elements of the simplified needs test under subsection 7b77#b71 after requirements of subsection 7c714 7c7 ,negative student aid index ,section #dga 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgkk7 is amended to read as follows3 #dga4 ,amount of need 7a7 ,in general ,the maximum dollar amount of financial assistance provided under this title to a student shall not exceed the cost of attendance for such student4 7b7 ,negative student aid index ,for purposes of determining eligibility for ,federal financial aid under this part1 any negative student aid index shall be treated as zero4 4 #e4 ,calculation of student aid index 7a7 ,student aid index ,section #dgc 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgmm7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the section heading1 by striking ,family contribution and inserting ,student aid index2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 by striking the subsection heading and inserting ,student ,aid ,index equal to or less than zero2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#a71 by adding or 7#c7 after paragraph 7#b72 7,c7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 by striking the paragraph heading and inserting ,children of certain deceased veterans2 7ii7 in each of subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,c71 by redesignating clauses 7i7 and 7ii7 as subclauses 7,i7 and 7,,ii71 respectively and adjusting the margins accordingly2 7iii7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 and 7,c71 as clauses 7i71 7ii71 and 7iii71 respectively2 and 7iv7 by striking ,paragraph 7#a7 shall and inserting the following3 7,a7 ,applicability ,paragraph 7#a7 shall 2 7,d7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b77i71 and 7,c7 of paragraph 7#b7 and inserting clause 7i71 7ii77,i71 and 7iii7 of subparagraph 7,a72 and 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7,i7 by striking subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b77ii71 and 7,c7 of paragraph 7#b7 and inserting clause 7i71 7ii77,,ii71 and 7iii7 of subparagraph 7,a72 7,,ii7 by redesignating clauses 7i7 through 7iii7 as subclauses 7,i7 through 7,,iii71 respectively1 and adjusting the margins accordingly2 and 7,,iii7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 as clauses 7i7 and 7ii71 respectively1 and adjusting the margins accordingly2 7,e7 by redesignating paragraph 7#c7 as subparagraph 7,b7 of paragraph 7#b71 and adjusting the margins accordingly2 7,f7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#d7 and 7#e7 as paragraphs 7#e7 and 7#f71 respectively2 and 7,g7 by inserting after paragraph 7#b77;,b71 as redesignated by subparagraph 7,e71 the following3 7#c7 ,recipients of certain means-tested benefits 7,a7 ,in ,general ,paragraph 7#a7 shall apply to a student if-- 7i7 that student is a dependent student whose parent participated in a means-tested benefits program at any time during the period encompassed from the beginning of the second prior calendar year through the date of filing2 or 7ii7 that student is independent and the student or spouse of that student participated in a means-tested benefits program at any time during the period encompassed from the beginning of the second prior calendar year through the date of filing4 7,b7 ,means-tested benefits program ,in this paragraph1 the term means-tested ,federal benefits program means-- 7i7 the supplemental security income program under title ,,xvi of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acha et seq472 7ii7 the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq472 7iii7 the ,medicaid program under title ,,xix of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acif et seq472 7iv7 the free and reduced price school lunch program established under the ,richard ,b4 ,russell ,national ,school ,lunch ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agea et seq472 7v7 a ,state program funded under the temporary assistance for needy families program under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq472 7vi7 the special supplemental nutrition program for women1 infants1 and children established by section #ag of the ,child ,nutrition ,act of #aiff 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aghf72 and 7vii7 any other program determined by the ,secretary to be appropriate based on-- 7,i7 the reliability under which the need for benefits from the program is established2 and 7,,ii7 the feasibility of data linkages4 7#d7 ,determination for ,state and institutional aid ,for each student whose student aid index is deemed to be zero under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall also calculate the student aid index for the student1 using the simplified version of the ,free ,application for ,federal ,student ,aid form in accordance with section #dgi1 to identify students who have a negative student aid index and may be eligible for additional ,state or institutional aid4 4 7b7 ,simplified needs test ,section #dgi 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgss7 is amended to read as follows3 #dgi4 ,simplified needs tests 7a7 ,simplified application section 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall develop and use a simplified version of the ,free ,application for ,federal ,student ,aid form prescribed under section #dhc7;a7 for families described in subsections 7b7 and 7c7 of this section4 7#b7 ,reduced data requirements ,the simplified version shall-- 7,a7 in the case of a family meeting the requirements of subsection 7b77#a71 permit such family to submit only the data elements required under subsection 7b77#b7 for the purposes of establishing eligibility for student financial aid under this part2 and 7,b7 in the case of a family meeting the requirements of subsection 7c71 permit such family to be treated as having a student aid index equal to or less than zero for purposes of establishing such eligibility and to submit only the data elements required to make a determination under subsection 7c74 7b7 ,simplified needs test 7#a7 ,eligibility ,an applicant is eligible to file a simplified version containing the elements required by paragraph 7#b7 if-- 7,a7 in the case of an applicant who is a dependent student-- 7i7 the student's parents include at least one parent who is a dislocated worker2 and 7ii7 the total adjusted gross income of the parents 7excluding any income of the dependent student7 is less than #ej1jjj2 or 7,b7 in the case of an applicant who is an independent student-- 7i7 the student 7and the student's spouse1 if any7 is a dislocated worker or has a spouse who is a dislocated worker2 and 7ii7 the adjusted gross income of the student 7and the student's spouse1 if any7 is less than #ej1jjj4 7#b7 ,simplified test elements ,the six elements to be used for the simplified needs analysis are-- 7,a7 adjusted gross income1 7,b7 ,federal taxes paid1 7,c7 untaxed income and benefits1 7,d7 the number of family members1 7,e7 the number of family members in postsecondary education1 and 7,f7 an allowance 7,a7 for ,state and other taxes1 as defined in section #dge7;c77#b7 for dependent students and in section #dgg7;b77#b7 for independent students with dependents other than a spouse1 or 7,b7 for ,state and other income taxes1 as defined in section #dgf7;b77#b7 for independent students without dependents other than a spouse4 7#c7 ,qualifying forms ,in the case of an independent student1 the student1 or in the case of a dependent student1 the family1 files a form described in this subsection1 or subsection 7c71 as the case may be1 if the student or family1 as appropriate1 files-- 7,a7 a form #ajdj 7including any prepared or electronic version of such form7 required pursuant to the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf2 or 7,b7 an income tax return 7including any prepared or electronic version of such return7 required pursuant to the tax code of the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,virgin ,islands1 the ,republic of the ,marshall ,islands1 the ,federated ,states of ,micronesia1 or ,palau4 7c7 ,student aid index equal to or less than zero 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall consider an applicant to have a student aid index equal to or less than zero if-- 7,a7 in the case of a dependent student-- 7i7 the student's parents-- 7,i7 certify that the parents are not required to file a ,federal income tax return2 and 7,,ii7 include at least one parent who is a dislocated worker2 or 7ii7 the sum of the adjusted gross annual income of the parents is less than or equal to #cf1jjj2 7,b7 in the case of an independent student with dependents other than a spouse-- 7i7 the student 7and the student's spouse1 if any7-- 7,i7 certifies that the student 7and the student's spouse1 if any7 is not required to file a ,federal income tax return2 and 7,,ii7 is a dislocated worker or has a spouse who is a dislocated worker2 or 7ii7 the sum of the adjusted gross annual income of the student and spouse 7if appropriate7 is less than or equal to #cf1jjj2 or 7,c7 in the case of an independent students without dependents-- 7i7 the student-- 7,i7 certifies that the student is not required to file a ,federal income tax return2 and 7,,ii7 is a dislocated worker2 or 7ii7 the sum of the adjusted gross annual income of the student is less than or equal to #bc1jjj4 7#b7 ,eligibility ,an individual is not required to qualify or file for the earned income credit in order to be eligible under this subsection4 ,the ,secretary shall annually adjust the income level necessary to qualify an applicant for the student aid index of equal to or less than zero4 ,the income level shall be adjusted by a percentage equal to increases in the ,consumer ,price ,index between the calendar year preceding the beginning of such academic year1 and the second preceding year1 rounding the result to the nearest #a1jjj4 7d7 ,dislocated worker ,in this section1 the term dislocated worker has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act4 4 #f4 ,,fafsa simplification 7a7 ,,fafsa simplification ,section #dhc7;f7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7;f77 is amended to read as follows3 7f7 ,reduction of income and asset information ,to determine eligibility for student financial aid 7#a7 ,use of ,internal ,revenue ,service data to populate ,,fafsa ,the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 make every effort to make available and allow applicants to utilize the data that is available to the ,secretary pursuant to section #fajc7l77#ac7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf to reduce the amount of original data entry by applicants and strengthen the reliability of data used to calculate a student aid index to-- 7i7 allow an applicant to automatically populate the electronic version of the forms under this section with data available from the ,internal ,revenue ,service2 7ii7 direct an applicant to appropriate questions on such forms based on the applicant's answers to previous questions2 7iii7 identify the type of form filed and whether certain forms or schedules1 as identified by the ,secretary1 were filed with ,federal form #ajdj2 7iv7 transfer all applicable schedule information2 and 7v7 allow an applicant to verify that the applicant or the family of the applicant did not file a ,federal tax return without additional action on the part of the student2 and 7,b7 allow single taxpayers1 married taxpayers filing jointly1 and married taxpayers filing separately to utilize such data retrieval tool to its full capacity4 7#b7 ,strengthening the ,,irs data ,the ,secretary shall work with the ,secretary of the ,treasury to expand the capabilities of transferring relevant ,internal ,revenue ,service data by-- 7,a7 incorporating all fields from ,federal tax returns and ,w-#b forms relevant to need analysis2 and 7,b7 incorporating line items from forms and schedules identified by the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,cross agency linkages 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 in coordination with the head of each agency that administers a specified means-tested ,federal benefits program 7as defined in section #dgc7;b77#c771 shall examine how the agency can verify an applicant or an applicant's family's receipt of specified means-tested ,federal benefits in order to compute a student aid index for low-income students in order to simplify1 for students1 the application process for student financial assistance4 7,b7 ,connection to other means tested benefits ,the ,secretary shall enter into data sharing agreements1 as necessary1 to enable the sharing of ,,fafsa data for the purpose of conducting outreach regarding1 and connecting students to1 ,state or ,federal means-tested benefits programs 7including means-tested ,federal benefits programs as defined in section #dgc7;b77#c77 for which the students may be eligible and for which1 if eligible1 could reduce the applicant's need to borrow or work during college4 7,c7 ,automatic maximum ,federal ,pell ,grant ,the ,secretary shall ensure that a student who is described in section #dgc7;b77#c7 or whose income or family income is less than #cf1jjj at any point during the #bd-month period preceding the date of the determination1 is a full-time student1 and submits a form under this section1 shall receive a maximum ,federal ,pell ,grant and a determination of a student aid index of equal to or less than zero without additional action on the part of the student or the family of the student4 7,d7 ,part-time students ,the ,secretary shall ensure that a part-time student who is described in section #dgc7;b77#c7 and submits a form under this section shall receive a determination of a student aid index of equal to or less than zero4 7#d7 ,prohibition against requesting information more than once ,any information requested during the process of creating an account for completing the web-based free application under this subsection1 shall not be required a second time for the same award year1 or in a duplicative manner1 when completing such web-based free application4 7#e7 ,change in family size ,the ,secretary shall provide a process by which an applicant shall confirm the accuracy of family size or may update the family size with respect to such applicant for purposes of determining the need of such applicant for financial assistance under this title based on a change in family size from the tax year data used for such determination4 7#f7 ,report ,the ,secretary shall report to ,congress annually on the ,department's progress in maintaining and expanding the ,internal ,revenue ,service data retrieval tool and in establishing cross agency linkages1 as described in this subsection1 and simultaneously make such reports publicly available4 4 7b7 ,mobile use ,section #dhc7;a77#c7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7;a77#c77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7,i7 ,mobile device format ,the ,secretary shall make the electronic version of the forms under this paragraph available through a technology tool that can be used on mobile devices4 ,such technology tool shall1 at a minimum1 enable applicants to-- 7i7 save data2 and 7ii7 submit the electronic version of the forms under this paragraph to the ,secretary through such tool4 4 7c7 ,languages for ,,fafsa ,section #dhc 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7i7 ,languages for ,,fafsa ,the ,secretary1 in conjunction with the ,director of the ,census ,bureau1 shall determine the most common languages spoken at home in the ,united ,states and shall develop versions of the ,,fafsa form in each of those languages4 4 7d7 ,outreach by financial aid advisors ,section #dhc 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij et seq471 as amended by subsection 7c71 is further amended by adding at the end the following3 7j7 ,outreach by financial aid advisors ,an institution of higher education may use information provided on a ,,fafsa to reach out to and counsel a student on the student's eligibility for means-tested benefits in which the student is not enrolled and outside scholarships for which a student is eligible4 4 #g4 ,prior-prior year and definitions of total income and assets 7a7 ,total income ,section #dhj7;a77#a7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgvv7a77#a77 is amended to read as follows3 7#a7 ,in general 7,a7 ,determination ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 the term total income is equal to-- 7i7 in the case of an individual who has not filed1 and is not required to file1 any ,federal tax return or in the case of a qualified recipient of a means-tested ,federal benefits program1 as defined in section #dgc7;b77#c77;,b71 earned income for the second preceding tax year minus excludable income 7as defined in subsection 7e772 and 7ii7 in the case of an individual who filed a ,federal tax return or in the case of an individual who filed a foreign tax return in lieu of a ,federal tax return1 adjusted gross income from applicable schedule plus untaxed income and benefits for the second preceding fiscal tax year minus excludable income 7as defined in subsection 7e774 7,b7 ,use of data ,notwithstanding section #dgh7;a71 the ,secretary shall provide for the use of data from the second preceding tax year when and to the extent necessary to carry out the simplification of applications 7including simplification for a subset of applications7 used for the estimation and determination of financial aid eligibility4 ,such simplification shall include the sharing of data between the ,internal ,revenue ,service and the ,department1 pursuant to the consent of the taxpayer4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #dhj7;a7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgvv7a77 is amended-- 7#a7 by moving paragraph 7#b7 two ems to the right2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking ,no portion and inserting the following3 ,amounts not included4--,no portion4 7c7 ,untaxed income and benefits ,section #dhj7;b7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgvv7b77 is amended to read as follows3 7b7 ,untaxed income and benefits ,the term untaxed income and benefits means-- 7#a7 the aggregate amount of losses taken into account for determining adjusted gross income on ,federal form #ajdj and applicable schedules2 7#b7 the amount of any tax-exempt interest income reported on ,federal form #ajdj2 and 7#c7 amounts of foreign income excluded from adjusted gross income and reported on ,federal form #beee4 4 7d7 ,excludable income ,section #dhj7;e7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgvv7e77 is amended to read as follows3 7e7 ,the term excludable income means-- 7#a7 any student financial assistance awarded based on need as determined in accordance with the provisions of this part1 including any income earned from work under part ,c of this title2 and 7#b7 payments made and services provided under part ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgj et seq47 to or on behalf of any child or youth over whom the ,state agency has responsibility for placement1 care1 or supervision1 including the value of vouchers for education and training and amounts expended for room and board for youth who are not in foster care but are receiving services under section #dgg of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgg74 4 7e7 ,assets ,section #dhj7;f77#a7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgvv7f77#a77 is amended by striking ,the term and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following3 7,a7 ,in determining the value of assets in a determination of need under this title in the case of an individual who has not filed1 and is not required to file1 any ,federal tax return or in the case of a qualified recipient of a means-tested ,federal benefits program1 as defined in section #dgc7;b77#c77;,b71 the individual's assets shall be considered to be equal to zero4 7,b7 ,in the case of an individual who filed a form #ajdj with forms or schedules1 the term assets means amounts held in money market savings accounts or funds1 capital gains1 prize or award money1 gambling winnings1 time deposits1 trusts1 stocks1 bonds1 other securities1 mutual funds1 tax shelters1 business income1 rental real estate1 royalties1 partnerships1 ,s corporations1 qualified education benefits 7except as provided in paragraph 7#c771 and the net value of real estate1 income producing property1 and business and farm assets1 excluding the primary home4 4 7f7 ,special combat pay ,section #dhj 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgvv7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7j71 by striking paragraph 7#d72 and 7#b7 by striking subsection 7n74 #h4 ,eliminating unnecessary and burdensome questions ,section #dhc7;a7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7;a771 as amended by section #c1 is further amended by adding at the end the following3 7#ad7 ,prohibition of unnecessary and burdensome questions ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 the ,secretary shall not include on any form developed under this section a question about the applicant's criminal history1 registration for selective service1 student taxable earnings from need-based employment like work study1 student combat pay1 student cooperative education program earnings1 student ,,ira deductions1 student tax exempt interest income1 student untaxed portions of ,,ira distributions1 student untaxed portions of pensions1 student military or clergy living allowances1 student veteran noneducation benefits1 student other untaxed income1 parent child support paid1 child support received1 parent taxable earnings from need-based employment like work-study1 parent college grant or scholarship aid reported to the ,internal ,revenue ,service1 parent combat pay1 parent cooperative education program earnings1 parent ,,ira deductions1 parent tax exempt interest income1 parent untaxed portions of pensions1 parent military or clergy living allowances1 parent veteran noneducation benefits1 or parent other untaxed income4 4 #i4 ,exception to required registration with selective service system2 ,department of ,education data matching 7a7 ,student eligibility ,subsection 7n7 of section #dhd 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajia7 is repealed4 7b7 ,repeal of ineligibility for certain assistance for failure ,to register with system ,section #ab of the ,military ,selective ,service ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #chaa7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking subsection 7f72 and 7#b7 by redesignating subsection 7g7 as subsection 7f74 #aj4 ,repeal of suspension of eligibility for drug-related offenses2 notice concerning penalties for drug violations 7a7 ,repeal ,subsection 7r7 of section #dhd 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajia7r77 is repealed4 7b7 ,conforming amendments ,the ,act is amended-- 7#a7 in section #dbh7;b77#c7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgh7;b77#c77-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,c71 by striking #dhe7l7 and inserting #dhe7k72 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by striking #dhe7l7 and inserting #dhe7k72 7#b7 in section #dce7;d77#e7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhe7;d77#e77-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,e71 by striking #dhe7l7 and inserting #dhe7k72 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,f71 by striking #dhe7l7 and inserting #dhe7k72 7#c7 in section #dhe 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajib7-- 7,a7 by striking subsection 7k72 and 7,b7 by redesignating subsections 7l7 and 7m7 as subsections 7k7 and 7l71 respectively2 and 7#d7 in section #dhg7;e77#b77;,b77ii77,,iv7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajid7;e77#b77;,b77ii77,,iv771 by striking 7l7 of section #dhe and inserting 7k7 of section #dhe4 #aa4 ,improving financial aid for homeless and foster care children and youth 7a7 ,independent student ,section #dhj7;d77#a77;,h7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgvv7d77#a77;,h77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding clause 7i7-- 7,a7 by striking during the school year in which the application is submitted2 7,b7 by inserting age #bc or younger after unaccompanied youth2 and 7,c7 by striking terms are and inserting term is2 7#b7 in clause 7i71 by inserting 1 or a designee of the liaison after ,act2 7#c7 in clause 7ii71 by striking a program funded under the ,runaway and ,homeless ,youth ,act and inserting an emergency or transitional shelter1 street outreach program1 homeless youth drop-in center1 or other program serving homeless youth12 and 7#d7 in clause 7iii71 by striking program funded under subtitle ,b of title ,,iv of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7relating to emergency shelter grants7 and inserting ,federal ,,trio program or a ,gaining ,early ,awareness and ,readiness for ,undergraduate program under chapter #a or #b of subpart #b of part ,a14 7b7 ,foster care children and youth ,section #ajc 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjc7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#aj7 through 7#bd7 as paragraphs 7#aa7 through 7#be71 respectively2 and 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#i7 the following3 7#aj7 ,foster care children and youth ,the term foster care children and youth-- 7,a7 means children and youth whose care and placement are the responsibility of the ,state or ,tribal agency that administers a ,state or ,tribal plan under part ,b or ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fba et seq4 and #fgj et seq471 without regard to whether foster care maintenance payments are made under section #dgb of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgb7 on behalf of such children and youth2 and 7,b7 includes individuals who were age #ac or older when their care and placement were the responsibility of a ,state or ,tribal agency that administered a ,state or ,tribal plan under part ,b or ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fba et seq4 and #fgj et seq47 and who are no longer under the care and responsibility of such a ,state or ,tribal agency1 without regard to any such individual's subsequent adoption1 guardianship arrangement1 or other form of permanency outcome4 4 7c7 ,streamlining determinations and verification ,section #dhj7;d7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgvv7d77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 ,simplifying the determination process for unaccompanied youth 7,a7 ,verification ,a financial aid administrator shall accept a determination of independence made by any individual authorized to make such determinations under clause 7i71 7ii71 or 7iii7 of paragraph 7#a77;,h7 in the absence of conflicting information4 ,a documented phone call with1 or a written statement from1 one of the authorized individuals is sufficient verification when needed4 ,for purposes of this paragraph1 a financial aid administrator's disagreement with the determination made by an authorized individual shall not be considered conflicting information4 7,b7 ,determination of independence ,a financial aid administrator shall make a determination of independence under paragraph 7#a77;,h7 if a student does not have1 and cannot get1 documentation from any of the other designated authorities described in such paragraph4 ,such a determination shall be-- 7i7 based on the definitions outlined in paragraph 7#a77;,h72 7ii7 distinct from a determination of independence under paragraph 7#a77;,i72 7iii7 based on a documented interview with the student2 and 7iv7 limited to whether the student meets the definitions in paragraph 7#a77;,h7 and not about the reasons for the student's homelessness4 7,c7 ,additional streamlining permitted ,nothing in this paragraph prohibits an institution from implementing polices that-- 7i7 streamline the determination of independence under paragraph 7#a77;,h72 and 7ii7 improve a student's access to financial aid because that student is an unaccompanied youth4 7#d7 ,simplifying the verification process for foster care youth 7,a7 ,verification of independence ,if an institution requires documentation to verify that a student is independent based on a status described in paragraph 7#a77;,b71 a financial aid administrator shall consider any of the following as adequate verification3 7i7 ,submission of a court order or official ,state documentation that the student received ,federal or ,state support in foster care4 7ii7 ,a documented phone call with1 written statement from1 or verifiable electronic data match with-- 7,i7 a child welfare agency authorized by a ,state or county2 7,,ii7 a ,tribal child welfare authority2 7,,iii7 an independent living case worker2 7,,iv7 a public or private foster care placing agency or foster care facility or placement2 7,v7 another program serving orphans1 foster care youth1 or wards of the court2 or 7,,vi7 a probation officer4 7iii7 ,a documented phone call with1 or a written statement from1 an attorney1 a guardian ad litem1 or a court appointed special advocate1 documenting that person's relationship to the student4 7iv7 ,a documented phone call with1 or a written statement from1 a representative of a ,federal ,,trio program or a ,gaining ,early ,awareness and ,readiness for ,undergraduate ,program under chapter #a or #b of subpart #b of part ,a4 7v7 ,verification of the student's eligibility for an education and training voucher under the ,john ,h4 ,chafee ,foster ,care ,independence ,program under section #dgg of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgg74 7vi7 ,submission of a copy of the student's biological or adoptive parents' or legal guardians'-- 7,i7 certificates of death2 or 7,,ii7 verifiable obituaries4 7vii7 ,an attestation from the student1 which includes a description of why the student may qualify for a status described in paragraph 7#a77;,b71 including the approximate dates that the student was an orphan1 in foster care1 or a ward of the court1 to the best of the student's knowledge after making reasonable efforts to provide any requested documentation4 7,b7 ,additional streamlining permitted ,nothing in this paragraph prohibits an institution from implementing polices that streamline the determination of independent status and improve a student's access to financial aid because that student is an orphan1 in foster care1 or a ward of the court1 or was an orphan1 in foster care1 or a ward of the court at any time when the student was #ac years of age or older4 7#e7 ,timing2 use of earlier determination 7,a7 ,timing ,a determination under subparagraph 7,b7 or 7,h7 of paragraph 7#a7 for a student-- 7i7 shall be made as quickly as practicable2 7ii7 may be made as early as the year before the award year for which the student initially submits an application2 and 7iii7 shall be made no later than during the award year for which the student initially submits an application4 7,b7 ,use of earlier determination ,any student who is determined to be independent under subparagraph 7,b7 or 7,h7 of paragraph 7#a7 for a preceding award year at an institution shall be presumed to be independent for each subsequent award year at the same institution unless-- 7i7 the student informs the institution that circumstances have changed2 or 7ii7 the institution has specific conflicting information about the student's independence1 and has informed the student of this information and the opportunity to challenge such information through a documented interview or an impartial review by the ,student ,loan ,ombudsman pursuant to section #ada7;f77#c74 7#f7 ,retention of documents ,a financial aid administrator shall retain all documents related to the determination of independence under subparagraph 7,b7 or 7,h7 of paragraph 7#a71 including documented interviews1 for the duration of the student's enrollment at the institution and for a minimum of #a year after the student is no longer enrolled at the institution4 4 7d7 ,consolidating questions regarding homeless status on the ,,fafsa ,section #dhc7;a77#d7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7;a77#d77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 ,single question regarding homeless status ,the ,secretary shall ensure that1 on each form developed under this section for which the information is applicable1 there is a single1 easily understood screening question to identify an applicant for aid who is-- 7i7 an unaccompanied homeless child or youth 7as such term is defined in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act72 or 7ii7 an unaccompanied youth who is self-supporting and at risk of homelessness4 4 7e7 ,data transparency on the number of financial aid applicants ,section #dhc 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij71 as amended by section #f1 is further amended by adding at the end the following3 7k7 ,data transparency on the number of applicants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall annually publish data on the number of individuals who apply for ,federal student aid pursuant to this section who are homeless individuals described in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a71 including unaccompanied youth1 and foster care youth4 7#b7 ,contents ,the data described in paragraph 7#a7 with respect to homeless individuals shall include1 at a minimum1 for each application cycle-- 7,a7 the total number of all applicants who were determined to be 7or to be at risk of becoming7 unaccompanied homeless youth1 under section #dhj7;d77#a77;,h72 7,b7 the number of applicants described in subparagraph 7,a71 disaggregated-- 7i7 by ,state2 and 7ii7 by the sources of determination as described in clauses 7i7 through 7iv7 of section #dhj7;d77#a77;,h72 and 7,c7 the number of undetermined requests for homelessness consideration1 including statuses that remain unknown because no determination had been made in response the applicant's request for the institution to consider the applicant's special circumstance of being homeless4 4 #ab4 ,eligibility for dreamers1 temporary protected status beneficiaries1 and deferred enforced departure grantees ,section #dhd 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajia71 as amended by sections #i and #aj1 is further amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#e71 by inserting or be a ,dreamer student or a temporary protected status or deferred enforced departure student after becoming a citizen or permanent resident2 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7q7 the following3 7r7 ,definitions for dreamer students and temporary protected status or deferred enforcement departure students ,in this section3 7#a7 ,dreamer students 7,a7 ,in general ,the term ,dreamer student means an alien 7as defined in section #aja7;a7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;a777 who-- 7i7 has been continuously physically present in the ,united ,states for not less than the #d-year period preceding the date of enactment of the ,simplifying ,financial ,aid for ,students ,act of #bjai2 7ii7 was younger than #ah years of age on the date on which the alien initially entered the ,united ,states2 7iii7 7,i7 has been admitted to an institution of higher education2 7,,ii7 in the ,united ,states1 has-- 7aa7 earned a high school diploma or a commensurate alternative award from a public or private high school2 7bb7 obtained a ,general ,educational ,development credential1 or other equivalent of a high school diploma1 recognized under ,state law2 or 7cc7 obtained a recognized postsecondary credential that is recognized by the ,secretary of ,education1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 or a ,state under the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act2 or 7,,iii7 is enrolled in secondary school or in an education program assisting students in-- 7aa7 obtaining a regular high school diploma or a ,general ,educational ,development credential1 or other equivalent of a high school diploma1 recognized under ,state law2 7bb7 passing the ,general ,educational ,development examinations1 a ,state-recognized high school diploma equivalency examination1 or other similar ,state-authorized examination2 7cc7 obtaining a certificate or credential from an area career and technical education school1 as defined in section #c of the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf1 providing education at the secondary level2 or 7dd7 obtaining a recognized postsecondary credential2 and 7iv7 7,i7 is not inadmissible under paragraph 7#b71 7#c71 7#f77;,e71 7#f77;,g71 7#h71 7#aj77;,a71 7#aj77;,c71 7#aj77;,d71 or 7#aj77;,e7 of section #bab7;a7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aahb7;a772 7,,ii7 has not ordered1 incited1 assisted1 or otherwise participated in the persecution of any person on account of race1 religion1 nationality1 membership in a particular social group1 or political opinion2 and 7,,iii7 excluding any offense under ,state law for which an essential element is the alien's immigration status and any minor traffic offense1 has not been convicted of-- 7aa7 any offense under ,federal or ,state law that is punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of more than #a year2 or 7bb7 #c or more offenses under ,federal or ,state law for which the alien was convicted on different dates for each of the #c offenses and imprisoned for an aggregate of #ij days or more4 7,b7 ,hardship exception ,the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security shall issue regulations that direct when the ,department shall waive the requirement of clause 7i7 or 7ii71 or both1 of subparagraph 7,a7 for an individual to qualify as a ,dreamer student1 under such subparagraph1 if the individual-- 7i7 demonstrates compelling circumstances for the inability to satisfy the requirement of such clause 7i7 or 7ii71 or both2 and 7ii7 satisfies the requirement of clauses 7iii7 and 7iv7 of subparagraph 7,a74 7#b7 ,temporary protected status or deferred enforced departure student ,the term temporary protected status or deferred enforced departure student means an alien 7as defined in section #aja7;a7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;a777 who-- 7,a7 7i7 has been continuously physically present in the ,united ,states for a period of not less than #c years before the date of enactment of the ,simplifying ,financial ,aid for ,students ,act of #bjai2 and 7ii7 is a national of a foreign state 7or part thereof71 7or in the case of an alien having no nationality1 is a person who last habitually resided in such state71 with a designation under subsection 7b7 of section #bdd of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abed;a7b77 on ,september #be1 #bjaf1 who had or was otherwise eligible for temporary protected status on such date2 or 7,b7 was under a grant of deferred enforced departure as of ,september #bh1 #bjaf4 4 #ac4 ,provisional independence for certain students ,section #dhc 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij71 as amended by section #aa1 is further amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7h77#a71 by inserting the following before the semicolon3 1 including the special circumstances under which a student may qualify for a determination of independence2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7l7 ,provisional independent students 7#a7 ,requirements for the ,secretary ,the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 enable each student who1 based on a special circumstance specified in accordance with subsection 7h77#a71 may qualify for an adjustment under section #dgi;,a that will result in a determination of independence under such section and section #dhj7;d77#a77;,i71 to complete the forms developed by the ,secretary under subsection 7a7 as an independent student for the purpose of a provisional determination of the student's ,federal financial aid award1 but subject to verification under paragraph 7#b77;,e7 for the purpose of the final determination of the award2 7,b7 upon completion of the forms developed by the ,secretary under subsection 7a71 provide an estimate of the student's ,federal ,pell ,grant award1 based on the assumption the student is determined to be an independent student2 7,c7 ensure that1 on each form developed under this section1 there is a single and easily understood screening question to identify an applicant for aid who wishes to provisionally apply for independent status under sections #dgi;,a and #dhj7;d77#a77;,i72 and 7,d7 specify1 on the forms1 the consequences under section #dij7;a7 of knowingly and willfully completing the forms as an independent student under subparagraph 7,a7 without meeting the special circumstances to qualify for such a determination4 7#b7 ,requirements for financial aid administrators ,with respect to a student accepted for admission who completes the forms as an independent student under paragraph 7#a77;,a71 a financial aid administrator-- 7,a7 shall notify the student of the institutional process and requirements for an adjustment under sections #dgi;,a and #dhj7;d77#a77;,i7 that will result in a determination of independence under such sections within a reasonable time after the student completes the forms developed by the ,secretary under subsection 7a7 as an independent student for the purpose of a provisional determination of the student's ,federal financial aid award2 7,b7 may make an adjustment under sections #dgi;,a and #dhj7;d77#a77;,i7 for a determination of independence in the absence of conflicting information2 7,c7 shall provide a final determination of the student's ,federal financial aid award to the student in the same manner as1 and by not later than the date that1 the administrator provides most other provisionally independent students their final determinations of ,federal financial aid awards1 or during the award year in which the student initially submits an application1 whichever comes sooner2 7,d7 shall1 in making a final determination of the student's ,federal financial aid award1 use the discretion provided under sections #dgi;,a and #dhj7;d77#a77;,i7 to verify whether the student meets the special circumstances to qualify as an independent student2 7,e7 in accordance with subparagraph 7,b71 may consider as adequate verification that a student qualifies for an adjustment under sections #dgi;,a and #dhj7;d77#a77;,i7-- 7i7 submission of a court order or official ,federal or ,state documentation that the student's parent or legal guardian is incarcerated in any ,federal or ,state penal institution2 7ii7 a documented phone call with1 or a written statement from-- 7,i7 a child welfare agency authorized by a ,state or county2 7,,ii7 a ,tribal child welfare authority2 7,,iii7 an independent living case worker2 or 7,,iv7 a public or private agency1 facility1 or program serving the victims of abuse1 neglect1 assault1 or violence2 7iii7 a documented phone call with1 or a written statement from1 an attorney1 a guardian ad litem1 or a court appointed special advocate1 documenting that person's relationship to the student2 7iv7 a documented phone call with1 or a written statement from1 a representative of a program under chapter #a or #b of subpart #b of part ,a2 or 7v7 submission of a copy of the student's biological or adoptive parents' or legal guardians'-- 7,i7 certificates of death2 or 7,,ii7 verified obituaries2 7,f7 if a student does not have1 and cannot get1 documentation from any of the designated authorities described in subparagraph 7,e7 of whether a student may qualify for an adjustment under sections #dgi;,a and #dhj7;d77#a77;,i7 that will result in a determination of independence1 may base the verification and final determination on-- 7i7 a documented interview with the student that is limited to whether the student meets the requirements1 and not about the reasons for the student's situations2 and 7ii7 an attestation from the student that the student meets the requirements1 which includes a description of the approximate dates that the student ended the financial or caregiving relationship with their parent or legal guardian1 to the best of the student's knowledge2 7,g7 shall retain all documents related to the adjustment under sections #dgi;,a and #dhj7;d77#a77;,i71 including documented interviews1 for the duration of the student's enrollment at the institution and for a minimum of #a year after the student is no longer enrolled at the institution2 and 7,h7 shall presume that any student who has obtained an adjustment under sections #dgi;,a and #dhj7;d77#a77;,i7 and a final determination of independence for a preceding award year at an institution to be independent for a subsequent award year at the same institution unless-- 7i7 the student informs the institution that circumstances have changed2 or 7ii7 the institution has specific conflicting information about the student's independence4 4 #ad4 ,secure disclosure of tax return information to carry out the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7a7 ,amendments to the internal revenue code of #aihf 7#a7 ,in general ,paragraph 7#ac7 of section #fajc7l7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended to read as follows3 7#ac7 ,disclosure of return information to carry out the higher education act of #aife 7,a7 ,income-contingent or income-based repayment and total and permanent disability discharge ,the ,secretary shall1 upon written request from the ,secretary of ,education1 disclose to officers1 employees1 and contractors of the ,department of ,education1 as specifically authorized and designated by the ,secretary of ,education1 only for the purpose of 7and to the extent necessary in7 establishing1 renewing1 administering1 and conducting analyses and forecasts for estimating costs related to income contingent or income-based repayment programs1 and the discharge of loans based on a total and permanent disability 7within the meaning of section #dcg7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife71 under title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife1 the following return information 7as defined in subsection 7b77#b77 with respect to taxpayers identified by the ,secretary of ,education as participating in the loan programs under title ,,iv of such ,act1 for taxable years specified by such ,secretary3 7i7 ,taxpayer identity information with respect to such taxpayer4 7ii7 ,the filing status of such taxpayer4 7iii7 ,type of tax return from which the return information is provided4 7iv7 ,the adjusted gross income of such taxpayer4 7v7 ,total number of exemptions claimed1 or total number of individuals and dependents claimed1 as applicable1 on the return4 7vi7 ,number of children with respect to which tax credits under section #bd are claimed on the return4 7vii7 ,other information determined to be necessary by agreement between the ,secretary and the ,secretary of ,education to administer the ,federal financial aid programs as required by the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife4 7,b7 ,federal student financial aid ,the ,secretary shall1 upon written request from the ,secretary of ,education1 disclose to officers1 employees1 and contractors of the ,department of ,education1 as specifically authorized and designated by the ,secretary of ,education1 only for the purpose of 7and to the extent necessary in7 determining eligibility for1 and amount of1 ,federal student financial aid under programs authorized by title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife and conducting analyses and forecasts for estimating costs related to such programs1 the following return information 7as defined in subsection 7b77#b77 with respect to taxpayers identified by the ,secretary of ,education as applicants for ,federal student financial aid under title ,,iv of such ,act1 for taxable years specified by such ,secretary3 7i7 ,taxpayer identity information with respect to such taxpayer4 7ii7 ,the filing status of such taxpayer4 7iii7 ,type of tax return from which the return information is provided4 7iv7 ,the adjusted gross income of such taxpayer4 7v7 ,the amount of any net earnings from self-employment 7as defined in section #adjb71 wages 7as defined in section #caba7;a7 or #cdja7;a771 business income1 investment income1 and taxable income from a farming business 7as defined in section #bcf;,a7e77#d77 for the period reported on the return4 7vi7 ,the total income tax of such taxpayer4 7vii7 ,total number of exemptions claimed1 or total number of individuals and dependents claimed1 as applicable1 on the return4 7viii7 ,number of children with respect to which tax credits under section #bd are claimed on the return4 7ix7 ,amount of any credit claimed under section #be;,a for the taxable year4 7x7 ,amount of individual retirement account distributions not included in adjusted gross income for the taxable year4 7xi7 ,amount of individual retirement account contributions and payments to self-employed ,,sep1 ,keogh1 and other qualified plans which were deducted from income for the taxable year4 7xii7 ,the amount of tax-exempt interest4 7xiii7 ,amounts from retirement pensions and annuities not included in adjusted gross income for the taxable year4 7xiv7 ,if applicable1 the fact that there is no return filed for such taxpayer for the applicable year4 7xv7 ,other information determined to be necessary by agreement between the ,secretary and the ,secretary of ,education to administer the ,federal financial aid programs as required by the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife4 7,c7 ,restriction on use of disclosed information 7i7 ,in general ,return information disclosed under subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 may be used by officers1 employees1 and contractors of the ,department of ,education1 as specifically authorized and designated by the ,secretary of ,education1 only for the purposes and to the extent necessary described in such subparagraphs and for mitigating risks 7as defined in clause 7ii77 relating to the programs described in such subparagraphs4 7ii7 ,mitigating risks ,for purposes of this subparagraph1 the term mitigating risks means1 with respect to the programs described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7-- 7,i7 analyzing or estimating costs associated with potential changes to the need-analysis formula2 7,,ii7 oversight activities by the ,office of ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,education as authorized by the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh1 as amended2 7,,iii7 developing or administering statistical models that inform support to populations of ,federal student loan borrowers who are at risk of default or delinquency2 7,,iv7 reducing the net cost of improper payments to ,federal financial aid recipients2 and 7,v7 producing aggregate statistics for reporting1 research1 or consumer information on the performance of programs or institutions of higher education participating in the programs under title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife4 ,such term does not include the conduct of criminal investigations or prosecutions4 7iii7 ,redisclosure to institutions of higher education1 ,state higher education agencies1 and designated scholarship organizations ,the ,secretary of ,education1 and officers1 employees1 and contractors of the ,department of ,education1 may disclose return information received under subparagraph 7,b71 solely for the use in the application1 award1 and administration of ,federal student financial aid1 ,state aid1 or aid awarded by eligible institutions or such entities as the ,secretary of ,education may designate1 to the following persons3 7,i7 ,an institution of higher education with which the ,secretary of ,education has an agreement under subpart #a of part ,a1 or part ,d or ,e1 of title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife4 7,,ii7 ,a ,state higher education agency4 7,,iii7 ,a scholarship organization which is designated by the ,secretary of ,education as of the date of the enactment of the ,simplifying ,financial ,aid for ,students ,act of #bjai as an organization eligible to receive the information provided under this clause4 ,the preceding sentence shall only apply to the extent that the taxpayer with respect to whom the return information relates provides consent for such disclosure to the ,secretary of ,education as part of the application for ,federal student financial aid under title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife4 7,d7 ,required notification periods 7i7 ,notification to ,congress ,the ,secretary and the ,secretary of ,education shall issue joint notifications to the ,committees on ,finance and ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate and the ,committees on ,ways and ,means and ,education and ,labor of the ,house of ,representatives not less than #abj days prior to the first disclosure of any type of return information under subparagraph 7,a77vii7 or 7,b77xv7 with respect to which such a notification has not been previously made4 7ii7 ,public notice and comment ,there shall be a public notice and comment period beginning not less than #fj days prior to the first disclosure of any type of return information under subparagraph 7,a77vii7 or 7,b77xv7 with respect to which such a notification has not been previously made1 subsequent to the period allotted for congressional comment under clause 7i74 4 7#b7 ,confidentiality of return information ,section #fajc7;a77#c7 of such ,code is amended by inserting 1 7#ac77;,a71 7#ac77;,b7 after 7#ab74 7#c7 ,conforming amendments ,section #fajc7p77#d7 of such ,code is amended-- 7,a7 by inserting 7,a71 7#ac77;,b7 after 7#ac7 each place it occurs2 and 7,b7 by inserting 1 7#ac77;,a71 7#ac77;,b7 after 7l77#aj7 each place it occurs4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply to disclosures made under section #fajc7l77#ac7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf 7as amended by this section7 after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #ae4 ,notification of request for tax return information 7a7 ,in general ,part ,g of title ,,iv 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhh et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #did4 ,notification of request for tax return information ,the ,secretary shall advise students and borrowers who submit an application for ,federal student financial aid under this title or for the discharge of a loan based on permanent and total disability1 as described in section #dcg7;a71 or who request an income-contingent or income-based repayment plan on their loan 7as well as parents and spouses who sign such an application or request or a ,master ,promissory ,note on behalf of those students and borrowers7 that the ,secretary has the authority to request that the ,internal ,revenue ,service disclose their tax return information 7as well as that of parents and spouses who sign such an application or request or a ,master ,promissory ,note on behalf of those students and borrowers7 to officers1 employees1 and contractors of the ,department of ,education as authorized under section #fajc7a77ac7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf1 to the extent necessary for the ,secretary to carry out this title4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendments related to student eligibility ,section #dhd1 as amended by sections #i1 #aj1 and #ab1 is further amended-- 7#a7 by striking subsection 7q72 7#b7 by redesignating subsections 7o71 7p71 7s71 and 7t7 as subsections 7n71 7o71 7p71 and 7q71 respectively2 and 7#c7 by transferring subsections 7p7 and 7q71 as redesignated by paragraph 7#b71 so as to precede subsection 7r7 7as added by section #ab7;b774 #af4 ,early ,federal ,pell ,grant ,commitment ,program ,subpart #a of part ,a of title ,,iv 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #dja;,b4 ,early ,federal ,pell ,grant ,commitment ,program 7a7 ,program authority ,the ,secretary shall carry out an ,early ,federal ,pell ,grant ,commitment ,program 7referred to in this section as the ,program7 under which the ,secretary-- 7#a7 makes a commitment to award ,federal ,pell ,grants to eligible students in accordance with this section2 and 7#b7 awards grants to ,states with approved applications under subsection 7c71 to enable the ,states to administer the ,program1 support eligible students1 and carry out a targeted information campaign described in subsection 7d7 in the ,state4 7b7 ,program requirements ,the ,program shall meet the following requirements3 7#a7 ,eligible students ,a student shall be eligible to receive a commitment from the ,secretary under paragraph 7#b7 if the student-- 7,a7 is in any of the grades #h through #ab2 and 7,b7 is a member of a household receiving assistance under the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq474 7#b7 ,federal ,pell ,grant ,commitment 7,a7 ,in general ,each eligible student shall receive a commitment from the ,secretary to receive a ,federal ,pell ,grant during the first #b academic years that the student is in attendance at an institution of higher education as an undergraduate student1 if the student-- 7i7 applies for ,federal financial aid 7via the ,free ,application for ,federal ,student ,aid under section #dhc7 during the student's senior year of secondary school and during the succeeding academic year2 and 7ii7 enrolls at such institution of higher education-- 7,i7 not later than #c years after such student receives a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent2 or 7,,ii7 if such student becomes a member of the armed forces1 not later than #c years after such student is discharged1 separated1 or released from the ,armed ,forces4 7,b7 ,determination of continued eligibility ,when an eligible student receiving a ,federal ,pell ,grant pursuant to the commitment under subparagraph 7,a7 enters the student's second academic year1 the ,secretary shall notify the student-- 7i7 of the upcoming conclusion of the commitment2 and 7ii7 that the student will remain eligible for a ,federal ,pell ,grant under section #dja if the student1 at the time of application1 is-- 7,i7 a member of a household receiving assistance under the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq47 at the time of such application2 or 7,,ii7 is receiving benefits under-- 7aa7 the supplemental security income program under title ,,xvi of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acha et seq472 7bb7 a ,state program funded under the temporary assistance for needy families program under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq472 7cc7 the ,medicaid program under title ,,xix of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acif et seq472 or 7dd7 a means-tested ,federal benefit program1 not described in subclause 7,i71 7,,ii71 or 7,,iii71 that is determined appropriate by the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,applicability of federal pell grant requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,the requirements of section #dja shall apply to ,federal ,pell ,grants awarded pursuant to this section1 except that with respect to each eligible student in the ,program1 the amount of each such eligible student's ,federal ,pell ,grant only shall be calculated by deeming such student to have a student aid index equal to zero4 7,b7 ,determination for ,state and institutional aid ,for each student whose student aid index is deemed to be zero under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall also calculate the student aid index for the student1 using the simplified version of the ,free ,application for ,federal ,student ,aid form in accordance with section #dgi1 to identify students who have a negative student aid index and may be eligible for additional ,state or institutional aid4 7c7 ,state applications 7#a7 ,in general ,each ,state desiring to participate in the ,program shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time and in such manner as the ,secretary may require4 7#b7 ,contents ,each application shall include-- 7,a7 a description of the ,state's proposed targeted information campaign for the ,program1 in accordance with subsection 7d71 and a copy of the plan described in subsection 7d77#b72 7,b7 an assurance that the ,state will fully cooperate with the ongoing evaluation of the ,program under subsection 7e72 7,c7 a description of how the ,state will-- 7i7 encourage participating secondary students to enroll in rigorous and challenging curricula and coursework1 in order to reduce the need for remedial coursework at the postsecondary level2 7ii7 increase the number of eligible students who-- 7,i7 obtain a secondary school diploma2 and 7,,ii7 complete applications for and enroll in a program of postsecondary education2 7iii7 introduce eligible students to institutions of higher education1 through trips and school-based sessions2 7iv7 provide eligible students with assistance in the admissions and application process for institutions of higher education or other postsecondary education programs2 and 7v7 ensure that each eligible student has an educational development plan2 and 7,d7 such other information as the ,secretary may require4 7#c7 ,educational development plan ,in this subsection1 the term educational development plan means an individualized plan for a student that-- 7,a7 contains a series of steps to help promote the student's career awareness and exploration2 and 7,b7 assists students in identifying-- 7i7 postsecondary options1 including baccalaureate and subbaccalaureate degree programs2 or 7ii7 career and technical programs of study1 including career and technical programs of study as defined in section #c of the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #bcjb74 7d7 ,targeted information campaign and plan 7#a7 ,in general ,each ,state receiving a grant under this section shall1 in cooperation with the participating local educational agencies within the ,state and the ,secretary1 develop a targeted information campaign for the ,program4 7#b7 ,plan ,each ,state receiving a grant under this section shall include in the application submitted under subsection 7c7 a written plan for their proposed targeted information campaign4 ,the plan shall include the following3 7,a7 ,outreach ,outreach to students and their families1 at a minimum1 at the beginning and end of each academic year4 7,b7 ,distribution ,how the ,state plans to provide the outreach described in subparagraph 7,a7 and to provide the information described in subparagraph 7,c74 7,c7 ,information ,the annual provision by the ,state to all students and families participating in the ,program of information regarding-- 7i7 the average net price of in-,state institutions of higher education1 disaggregated by sector and by income quintile2 7ii7 ,federal ,pell ,grants1 including-- 7,i7 the maximum ,federal ,pell ,grant for each academic year2 7,,ii7 when and how to apply for a ,federal ,pell ,grant2 and 7,,iii7 what the application process for a ,federal ,pell ,grant requires2 7iii7 ,state-specific postsecondary education savings programs2 7iv7 ,state-based financial aid2 7v7 ,federal financial aid available to students1 including eligibility criteria for the ,federal financial aid and an explanation of the ,federal financial aid programs2 and 7vi7 financial aid that may be available from nongovernmental sources4 7#c7 ,annual information ,the information described in paragraph 7#b77;,c7 shall be provided to eligible students annually for the duration of the students' participation in the ,program4 7#d7 ,reservation ,each ,state receiving a grant under this section shall reserve #bjj1jjj of the grant funds received each fiscal year to carry out the targeted information campaign described in this subsection4 7#e7 ,information campaign in non-participating ,states ,in the case of a ,state does not apply for a grant under this section1 or applies but does not satisfy the requirements of the grant1 the ,secretary shall carry out an information campaign and administer the ,program for the ,state1 in order to ensure that eligible students in the ,state are assisted under the ,program4 7e7 ,evaluation 7#a7 ,in general ,from amounts appropriated under subsection 7f7 for a fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall reserve not more than #a1jjj1jjj to award a grant or contract to an organization outside the ,department for an independent evaluation of the impact of the ,program4 7#b7 ,competitive basis ,the grant or contract shall be awarded on a competitive basis4 7#c7 ,matters evaluated ,the evaluation described in this subsection shall consider metrics established by the ,secretary that emphasize college access and success1 encouraging low-income students to pursue higher education1 and the cost effectiveness of the program4 7#d7 ,dissemination ,the findings of the evaluation shall be widely disseminated to the public by the organization conducting the evaluation as well as by the ,secretary4 7f7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary4 4