filing-the-fafsa-2015-2016-edition

Filing the FAFSA 88
• The student’s parent is a dislocated worker, or
• Anyone counted in household size on the FAFSA received certain federal means-tested benefits
during either of the two previous calendar years. These benefits include Supplemental Security
Income (SSI), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Free and Reduced Price School
Lunch, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
Similar criteria apply to independent students and the student’s spouse (if any) for determining eligibility
for the simplified needs test and auto-zero EFC, with one exception: Independent students without
dependents other than a spouse are not eligible for auto-zero EFC.
Note that a dependent student’s eligibility for the simplified needs test and auto-zero EFC depends
only on the parent’s income, not the student’s income. It doesn’t matter how much money the student
earns; if the parent’s income falls below the income thresholds and the parent satisfies the type of return
test (or the parent is a dislocated worker or a household member received certain means-tested federal
benefits), the student will qualify for one of the simplified versions of the FAFSA. This is in contrast with
independent students, where the student’s income does matter.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
If a student’s parent or legal guardian died while serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces in
Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, the student may be eligible for special treatment of his or
her EFC if the student was less than 24 years old or enrolled in college when his or her parent or legal
guardian died. If the student is eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, the student’s EFC will be set to zero,
qualifying the student for a maximum Federal Pell Grant. If the student is not eligible for a Federal Pell
Grant because the student’s EFC is too high, the student will receive an Iraq and Afghanistan Service
Grant equal to the maximum Federal Pell Grant amount.
State Restrictions on Simplified Versions of the FAFSA
Although the student may qualify for the simplified needs test or auto-zero EFC, whether the student
will be able to skip the asset and other questions depends on the student’s state of legal residence. The
FAFSA is used to apply not just for federal student aid, but also for financial aid from the student’s state.
Fourteen states and the District of Columbia do not allow students who qualify for the simplified needs
test or auto-zero EFC to skip the questions. These include Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia,
Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Vermont,
Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The answers to these questions, however, will not affect the
student’s eligibility for federal student aid. A student who qualifies for auto-zero EFC will still have a
zero EFC for federal student aid purposes even if the student’s state does not allow the student to skip
some of the FAFSA questions.
Eligible to File IRS Form 1040A or 1040EZ
Generally, taxpayers are eligible to file IRS Form 1040A or 1040EZ if they satisfy the following criteria:
• The taxpayer earns less than $100,000