Data Elements and Justification

2015-2016 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Question 

Number(s) Data Element(s) Data Element(s) Justification

FAFSA on the Web Treatment 

Data elements are presented to all applicants, 

unless otherwise noted. Note that questions 

are not presented in numerical order online.

Step One (Students)

1-3 Student’s name 1. Record identification.

2. Database matches.

Questions 1-3 are pre-filled for renewal 

applicants.

4-7 Student’s permanent mailing 

address

Applicants that do not provide an e-mail address must 

provide a permanent mailing address in order to 

receive their FAFSA processing results.

Questions 4-7 are pre-filled for renewal 

applicants.

8 Student’s Social Security 

Number (SSN)

1. Section 484(a)(4)(B) of the HEA. To be eligible 

for Title IV student aid, a student must file with the 

application such student's SSN except for applicants 

from the Marshall Islands, Federated States of 

Micronesia, and Palau. (See 34 CFR 668.32(i))

2. Record identification.

3. Database matches.

4. Identifies duplicate applications.

5. Valid SSN is a criteria to use the IRS Data 

Retrieval Tool.

SSN is hard-coded for all initial applications 

once it is entered and pre-filled for renewal 

applicants.

9 Student’s date of birth 1. Section 476(c)(3) and 477(c)(3) of the HEA. Used 

to determine an asset protection allowance for the 

computation of discretionary net worth for the 

independent student. 

2. Record identification.

3. Database matches.

4. System edits. (Cross check with question number 

46: "Were you born before January 1, 1991?").

Used to answer dependency Question 46.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

10 Student’s permanent telephone 

number

Used to identify the applicant to permit servicing and 

collecting of student loans. Also used by customer 

service operations.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

11-12 Student’s driver’s license state 

and number

Used to identify the applicant and to permit servicing 

and collecting of Perkins Loans and Stafford Loans. 

Also used for collection of grant overpayments.

Questions 11-12 are only displayed when 

student response is “yes” to the filtering 

question - “Do you have driver’s license 

information that you want to add?”

Questions 11-12 are pre-filled for renewal 

applicants.

13 Student’s e-mail address Used to communicate with the student electronically. Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
Question 

Number(s) Data Element(s) Data Element(s) Justification

FAFSA on the Web Treatment 

Data elements are presented to all applicants, 

unless otherwise noted. Note that questions 

are not presented in numerical order online.

14 Student’s citizenship Section 484(a)(5) of the Act limits Title IV eligibility 

to United States citizens or nationals, permanent 

residents of the United States, or individuals who are 

able to provide evidence from the Department of 

Homeland Security (DHS) that they are in the United 

States for other than a temporary purpose with the 

intention of becoming a citizen or permanent resident. 

ED performs database matches with the Social 

Security Administration (SSA) and DHS to verify 

eligibility.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

15 Student’s Alien Registration 

Number

Section 484(h) of the Act requires institutional 

collection and verification of eligible noncitizen 

status. ED uses the Alien Registration Number to 

perform a computer match with files from DHS of 

persons who are eligible to receive Title IV aid. This 

facilitates the verification process, improves its 

accuracy and reduces the chance of fraud. 

Question 15 is only displayed when student

response to Question 14 is “I am an eligible 

noncitizen”.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

16 Student’s marital status Sections 474(b)(5), 476(b)(4), and 477(b)(5). Used in 

determining the expected family contribution for 

independent students. Used in determining the 

appropriate independent formula and for the 

employment expense allowance calculation.

Used to answer dependency Question 47.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

17 Date student was married, 

widowed, separated, or divorced

Section 483(a)(1) requires inclusion of data items 

selected in consultation with the states to assist the 

states in awarding state student financial assistance.

Marital status date is a criteria in determining a 

student’s eligibility to use the IRS Data Retrieval 

Tool.

Question 17 is only displayed when student

response to Question 16 is 

“Married/Remarried, Separated, or 

Divorced/Widowed”.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

18 Student’s state of legal residence Sections 475(g)(3), 476(b)(2), and 477(b)(2) of the 

HEA, as amended. Used to determine an allowance 

for state and local taxes for the computation of the 

dependent and independent student’s available taxable 

income.

Filtering question is presented using student’s 

state as provided in Question 6.

e.g., “Have you lived in the state of Ohio for 

at least five years?” If “yes” student skips 

Questions 18-20. If “no” student is presented 

with Questions 18-19.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

19 Student became resident of state 

prior to January 1, 2009

Section 483(a)(1) requires inclusion of data items 

selected in consultation with the states to assist the 

states in awarding state student financial assistance.

Question 19 is only displayed if student was 

presented with Question 18.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

20 Student’s date of legal residence 

in state

Section 483(a)(1) requires inclusion of data items 

selected in consultation with the states to assist the 

states in awarding state student financial assistance.

Question 20 is only displayed if student 

response to Question 19 is “No”.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

21-22 Selective Service registration Section 484(n) requires certain students to register 

with the Selective Service System to be eligible for 

federal student aid.

Question 21 is asked to determine gender.

Question 21 is pre-filled for renewal 

applicants.

Question 22 which is the Selective Service 

registration option, is only asked of males that 

are 26 and younger.
Question 

Number(s) Data Element(s) Data Element(s) Justification

FAFSA on the Web Treatment 

Data elements are presented to all applicants, 

unless otherwise noted. Note that questions 

are not presented in numerical order online.

23 Drug Conviction Section 484(r)(1) denies Title IV eligibility to 

applicants with drug-related convictions under certain 

circumstances.

Students who “never attended college” as 

determined in Question 29 or who answer 

“No” to the filtering question – “Have you 

ever received federal student aid?”, will not be 

asked Question 23.

24-25 Highest educational level 

completed by student’s Parent 1

and Parent 2

Section 483(q)(1) requires inclusion of data items 

selected in consultation with the states to assist the 

states in awarding state student financial assistance.

Used by TRIO program, states, and institutions to 

determine the amount of eligibility and facilitate the 

packaging of federal student aid. Reduces burden on 

states and institutions. 

Questions 24-25 are pre-filled for renewal 

applicants.

26 High school completion status Used by institutions to determine if student is eligible 

to receive Title IV aid. Students are required to have 

a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent in 

order to receive federal student aid.

Section 483(a)(1) requires inclusion of data items 

selected in consultation with the states to assist the 

states in awarding state student financial assistance.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

27 Name, city and state of the high 

school where student received or 

will receive their high school 

diploma

Used by the Department to determine the validity of 

the student’s high school diploma. Students are 

required to have a valid high school diploma or its 

recognized equivalent in order to receive federal 

student aid.

Question 27 will only be displayed if the 

student indicates they will have a “high school 

diploma” in Question 26.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

28 First bachelor’s degree Section 401(a)(1) of the HEA limits Federal Pell 

Grant eligibility to students pursuing an 

undergraduate course of study. Section 413B(b)(1) of 

the HEA limits Federal Supplemental Educational 

Opportunity Grant eligibility to students pursuing an 

undergraduate course of study.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

29 Student’s grade level in 2015-

2016

Used to determine loan limits under the Federal Direct 

Loan program.

Used to pre-fill Question 23 and Question 48.

30 Degree/Certificate student will be 

working on in 2015-2016

Section 483(a)(1) requires inclusion of data items 

selected in consultation with the states to assist the 

states in awarding state student financial assistance.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

31 Interest in work-study Used by institutions to determine if student is 

interested in work-study.
Question 

Number(s) Data Element(s) Data Element(s) Justification

FAFSA on the Web Treatment 

Data element is presented to all applicants, 

unless otherwise noted. Note that questions 

are not presented in numerical order online.

Step Two (Students) – Within FAFSA on the Web, the questions in this step (questions 32-45) are not presented to students whose parents receive an 

automatic zero EFC determination. 

32-33 Type of tax return Used for verification of income reported on the 

application.

Question 32 is a criterion in determining a student’s 

eligibility to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

These questions are not presented to students 

whose parents receive an automatic zero EFC

determination.

Question 32 is used to determine if students 

have filed, will file, or are not going to file 

taxes.

Question 33 will not be presented to students 

who indicate in Question 32 that they are “not 

going to file” taxes. 

Response to Question 33 may be available 

through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

34 Tax filing status Used to identify instances when the reported FAFSA 

marital status is inconsistent with the IRS tax return 

filing status.

Question 34 is a criterion in determining a student’s 

eligibility to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

Question 34 will not be presented to students 

who indicate in Question 32 that they are “not 

going to file” taxes.

35 Eligible to file a 1040A or 

1040EZ

Used for determining the tax filing criteria used in 

determining the eligibility for and calculation of the 

simplified needs tests and automatic zero EFC under 

Section 479 of the HEA. 

This question is only presented to independent 

students.

Question 35 will not be presented to 

independent students that:

 Indicated in Question 32 that they are “not 

going to file” taxes;

 Indicated in Question 33 that they have 

filed an “IRS 1040A or 1040EZ”;

 Do not qualify for the automatic zero EFC 

determination or simplified needs test based 

on income;

 Respond “yes” to Question 102 (dislocated 

worker); or

 Indicated in Question 97-101 that they 

received federal benefits.

36 2014 adjusted gross income 

(AGI)

Sections 475(g)(1), 476(b)(1), 477(b)(1), 479, and 

480(a) of the HEA. The base year income for the 

dependent student and the independent student (and 

spouse) is used to determine total and available 

income for the computation of the dependent or 

independent student’s contribution under Part F-Need 

Analysis.

This question is not presented to students 

whose parents receive an automatic zero EFC

determination.

Question 36 will not be presented to students 

who indicate in Question 32 that they are “not 

going to file” taxes.

Response to question may be available 

through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
Question 

Number(s) Data Element(s) Data Element(s) Justification

FAFSA on the Web Treatment 

Data element is presented to all applicants, 

unless otherwise noted. Note that questions 

are not presented in numerical order online.

37 2014 income tax paid Sections 475(g)(2)(A), 476(b)(1)(A)(i) and 

477(b)(1)(A) of the HEA. The amounts of federal 

income taxes of the dependent student and of the 

independent student (and spouse) are used in 

determining contribution from available income. 

This question is not presented to dependent 

students whose parents receive an automatic 

zero EFC determination.

This question is not presented to independent 

students who receive an automatic zero EFC

determination.

Question 37 will not be presented to students 

who indicate in Question 32 that they are “not 

going to file” taxes.

Response to question may be available 

through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

38 2014 exemptions Used in the editing system. Also used to calculate 

estimated tax for verification purposes. Used by 

states to award student financial assistance.

This question is not presented to dependent 

students whose parents receive an automatic 

zero EFC determination.

This question is not presented to independent 

students who receive an automatic zero EFC

determination.

Question 38 will not be presented to students 

who indicate in Question 32 that they are “not 

going to file” taxes.

Response to question may be available 

through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

39-40 2014 income earned from work Sections 475(g)(4), 476(b)(3), and 477(b)(3). Used to 

determine the Social Security Tax Allowance for the 

computation of available income for the dependent 

and independent student contribution. 

Sections 476(b)(4), and 477(b)(5). Also used to 

determine an employment expense allowance for 

independent students, and available income for the 

independent student’s contribution.

These questions are not presented to students 

whose parents receive an automatic zero EFC

determination.

Question 39 is for student’s earnings and 

Question 40 is for student’s spouse’s earnings. 

Question 40 only displays if student’s marital 

status is “married.”

Response to question 39 may be available 

through IRS Data Retrieval Tool when 

student’s marital status is single, separated, 

divorced or widowed.

41 Cash, savings and checking 

accounts

Sections 474(b)(4), 475(h), 476(c)(2)(A), 

477(c)(2)(A) and 480(f) of the HEA. The student’s 

and/or spouse’s cash, savings and checking accounts 

are used to determine net worth for calculating

expected family contribution for both dependent and 

independent students.

This question is not presented to:

 Students whose parents receive an 

automatic zero EFC determination,

 Students whose parents meet the simplified 

needs test, 

 Independent students who meet the 

simplified needs test, or

 Independent students who indicate they 

have less than the system calculated asset 

protection allowance.
Question 

Number(s) Data Element(s) Data Element(s) Justification

FAFSA on the Web Treatment 

Data element is presented to all applicants, 

unless otherwise noted. Note that questions 

are not presented in numerical order online.

42 Current net worth of investments Sections 474(b)(4), 475(h), 476(c)(2)(B), 

477(c)(2)(B) and 480(f) of the HEA. The student’s 

and/or spouse’s other real estate and investments and 

associated debts are used to determine adjusted net 

worth for calculating expected family contribution for 

both dependent and independent students.

This question is not presented to:

 Students whose parents receive an 

automatic zero EFC determination,

 Students whose parents meet the simplified 

needs test, 

 Independent students who meet the 

simplified needs test, or

 Independent students who indicate they 

have less than the calculated asset 

protection allowance.

43 Current net worth of business 

and/or investment farm

Sections 474(b)(4), 475(h), 476(c)(2)(C), 

477(c)(2)(C) and 480(f) of the HEA. The student’s 

and/or spouse’s business and/or investment farm 

assets and associated debts are used to determine net 

worth for calculating expected family contribution for 

both dependent and independent students. A family 

farm, on which the family resides, is excluded from 

the calculation of EFC. A family business that is 

owned and controlled by the family with fewer than 

100 full-time equivalent employees is also excluded.

This question is not presented to:

 Students whose parents receive an 

automatic zero EFC determination,

 Students whose parents meet the simplified 

needs test, 

 Independent students who meet the 

simplified needs test, or

 Independent students who indicate they 

have less than the system calculated asset 

protection allowance.

44 Student and spouse additional 

financial information

Sections 480(a) and 480(e) of the HEA. Used to 

derive a figure for “excludable income” such as 

student financial aid, child support paid, etc., which is 

not to be included in defining total income for 

purposes of computing the expected family 

contribution.

This question is not presented to dependent 

students whose parents receive an automatic 

zero EFC determination or to independent 

students that receive an automatic zero EFC 

determination.

Response to 44a (education credits) may be 

available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

45 Student and spouse untaxed 

income

Sections 480(b) and 480(c) of the HEA. Untaxed 

income for students and parents is used to determine 

available income for computing parental and student 

contribution.

This question is not presented to dependent 

students whose parents receive an automatic 

zero EFC determination or to independent 

students that receive an automatic zero EFC 

determination.

Response to 45b (IRA deductions and 

payments), 45d (tax exempt interest income), 

45e (untaxed portions of IRA distributions), 

and 45f(untaxed portions of pensions) may be 

available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

Step Three (Students)

FAFSA on the Web presents dependency status questions in the following order- (46, 47, 48, 51, 52, 49, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)

46 Born before January 1, 1991? Sections 480(d)(1)(A) through 480(d)(1)(I) of the HEA. 

Used to determine whether applicant qualifies as a 

dependent or independent student. Questions 54-58

where specifically mandated by the College Cost 

Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA).

These elements (questions 46 through 58) are needed to 

determine whether parental data must be supplied and, 

therefore, which sections of the form the applicant needs 

to complete. 

Question is pre-filled based on student’s response 

to Question 9. However, this question is not 

presented if student is determined to be 

independent by the response to date of birth. 

47 Married? Question is pre-filled based on student’s response 

to Question 16. However, this question is not 

presented if student is determined to be 

independent by the response to marital status.

48 Enrolled in graduate or professional 

program in 2015-2016?

Question is pre-filled based on student’s response 

to Question 29. However, this question is not 

presented if student is determined to be 

independent by the response to grade level in 

college.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
Question 

Number(s) Data Element(s) Data Element(s) Justification

FAFSA on the Web Treatment 

Data element is presented to all applicants, 

unless otherwise noted. Note that questions 

are not presented in numerical order online.

49 Currently serving on active duty in 

the U.S. Armed Forces?

This question is not presented if student is 

determined to be independent in Questions 46-48

or 51-52.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

50 Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces? This question is not presented if student is 

determined to be independent in Questions 46-49

or 51-52.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

51 Have children? Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

52 Have non-children dependents 

other than a spouse?

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

53 After the age of 13 - orphan; ward 

or dependent of the court; or in 

foster care?

This question is not presented if student is 

determined to be independent in Questions 46-52.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

54 Court decided you are an 

emancipated minor?

This question is not presented if student is 

determined to be independent in Questions 46-53.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

55 Court decided you are in a legal 

guardianship?

This question is not presented if student is 

determined to be independent in Questions 46-54.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

56 High school district homeless 

liaison determined you were an 

unaccompanied youth who was 

homeless?

Questions 56-58 are not presented if student is 

determined to be independent in Questions 46-55.

If students are dependent, questions 56-58 will 

only be presented if student is 21 or younger and 

answers “Yes” to the Homeless Filtering question 

– “On or after July 1, 2014, were you homeless or 

were you at risk of being homeless?”

Students aged 22 or 23 who answer “Yes” to the 

Homeless Filtering question will be taken down 

an alternate path to allow them to submit their 

application without parental data and follow-up 

with the financial aid office. 

57 Director of HUD-funded 

emergency shelter program 

determined that you were an 

unaccompanied youth who was 

homeless?

58 Director of runaway or homeless 

youth basic center or transitional 

living program determined that you 

were an unaccompanied youth who 

was homeless or were selfsupporting and at risk of being 

homeless?

Step Four (Parents) – Within FAFSA on the Web, the questions in this step (questions 59-94) are only presented to dependent students or students 

who indicate they wish to provide parental information (e.g., health professional students).

59 Parents’ current marital status Section 475(f) of the HEA. Used in determining 

whose income is to be reported in calculating the 

expected family contribution.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

60 Date parents were married, 

widowed, separated, or divorced

Used by the Department to estimate erroneous Pell 

Grant payments as required by the Improper 

Payments Act, by matching against an IRS database 

each year.

Marital status date is a criteria in determining a 

parent’s eligibility to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Question 60 is only displayed when parent 

response to Question 59 is “Married/

Remarried, Divorced/Separated, or 

Widowed.”

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.
Question 

Number(s) Data Element(s) Data Element(s) Justification

FAFSA on the Web Treatment 

Data element is presented to all applicants, 

unless otherwise noted. Note that questions 

are not presented in numerical order online.

61-68 Parents’ Social Security 

Numbers, last names, first 

initials, and dates of birth

Sections 483(a)(7) and 484(q) of the HEA . Used by 

the Department to estimate erroneous Pell Grant 

payments as required by the Improper Payments Act, 

by matching against an IRS database each year.

Valid SSN is a criterion to use the IRS Data Retrieval 

Tool.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Questions 61-64 ask for demographic data on 

student’s Parent 1/Father. Questions 65-68 

ask for demographic data on student’s Parent 

2/Mother. For students who indicate parents 

are never married, divorced or separated, or 

widowed, a filtering question “Which parent’s 

information will be provided?” is asked. 

Based on student’s response, demographic 

questions for Father or Mother are presented. 

Questions 61-68 are pre-filled for renewal 

applicants.

69 Parents’ e-mail address Used to communicate with the parents electronically. Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

70 Parents’ state of legal residence Section 475(c)(1) and 475(c)(2) of the Act. Used to 

determine state and other tax allowances for the 

computation of parental available income.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Filtering question is presented using student’s 

state as provided in Question 6.

e.g., “Have your parents lived in the state of 

Ohio for at least five years?” If “yes” student 

skips Questions 70-72. If “no” student is 

presented with Questions 70-71.

Pre-filled for renewal applicants.

71-72 Parents’ date of legal residence in 

state

Section 483(a)(1) requires inclusion of data items 

selected in consultation with the states to assist the 

states in awarding state student financial assistance.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Question 71 is only displayed if parent was 

presented with Question 70.

Question 72 is only displayed if parents’ 

response to Question 7171 is “No”.

Questions 71-72 are pre-filled for renewal 

applicants.

73 Number in parents’ household Sections 475(c)(1), 475(c)(4), and 480(l) of the HEA. 

Used to determine an income protection allowance for 

computation of parental income.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

74 Parents’ number in college in 

2015-2016

Section 475(b)(3) of the HEA. The expected family 

contribution from income and assets is divided by the 

number of persons in college (excluding parents) who 

are enrolled on at least a half time basis in a 

recognized degree or certificate program at an eligible 

institution to determine the family contribution for the 

applicant. 

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.
Question 

Number(s) Data Element(s) Data Element(s) Justification

FAFSA on the Web Treatment 

Data element is presented to all applicants, 

unless otherwise noted. Note that questions 

are not presented in numerical order online.

75-79 Parents received federal benefits 

in 2013 or 2014

Sections 479(b) and 479(c). The Higher Education 

Reconciliation Act (HERA) states that a family is 

eligible for the simplified needs or automatic zero 

EFC calculation if the student or parents received 

benefits and met the appropriate income threshold.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Questions 75-79 will not be presented to 

parents that::

 Do not qualify for the automatic zero EFC

determination or simplified needs test based 

on income;

 Respond “yes” to Question 84 (dislocated 

worker); or

 Indicated in Question 81 that they have 

filed an “IRS 1040A or 1040EZ”.

80-81 Parents’ type of tax return Used for verification of income reported on the 

application.

Question 80 is a criteria in determining a parent’s 

eligibility to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Question 80 is used to determine if parents 

have filed, will file, or are not going to file 

taxes.

Question 81 will not be presented to parents 

who indicate in Question 80 that they are “not 

going to file” taxes. 

Response to question 81 may be available 

through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

82 Parents’ tax filing status Used to identify instances when the reported FAFSA 

marital status is inconsistent with the IRS tax return 

filing status.

Question 82 will not be presented to parents 

who indicate in Question 80 that they are “not 

going to file” taxes.

Question 82 will not be presented to parents 

who indicate in Question 59 that they are

“unmarried and both parents living together.”

83 Parents’ Eligible to file a 1040A 

or 1040EZ

Used for determining the tax filing criteria used in 

determining the eligibility for and calculation of the 

simplified needs tests and automatic zero EFC under 

Section 479 of the HEA. 

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Question 83 will not be presented to parents 

that:

 Indicated in Question 80 that they are “not 

going to file” taxes;

 Indicated in Question 81 that they have 

filed an “IRS 1040A or 1040EZ”;

 Do not qualify for the automatic zero EFC 

determination or simplified needs test based 

on income;

 Respond “yes” to Question 84 (dislocated 

worker); or

 Indicated in Question 75-79 that they 

received federal benefits.

84 Dislocated worker The CCRAA authorized simplified needs test and 

automatic zero EFC formula treatment under Section 

479 for parents of dependent students if either parent 

is a dislocated worker.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.
Question 

Number(s) Data Element(s) Data Element(s) Justification

FAFSA on the Web Treatment 

Data element is presented to all applicants, 

unless otherwise noted. Note that questions 

are not presented in numerical order online.

85 Parents’ 2014 AGI Sections 475(b)(1) and 480(a) of the HEA. The base 

year income for the dependent student’s parents is 

used to determine total and available income for the 

computation of parental contribution.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Question 85 will not be presented to parents 

who indicate in Question 80 that they are “not 

going to file” taxes.

Response to question 85 may be available 

through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

86 Parents’ 2014 income tax paid Section 475(c)(1)(A) of the HEA. The amounts of 

federal income taxes of the dependent student’s 

parents are used in determining contribution from 

available income.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Question 86 will not be presented to parents 

that:

 Indicate in Question 80 that they 

are “not going to file” taxes;

 Qualify for the automatic zero EFC

determination. 

Response to question 86 may be available 

through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

87 Parents’ 2014 exemptions Used in the editing system. Used to calculate 

estimated tax for verification purposes. Also used by 

states to award student financial assistance.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Question 87 will not be presented to parents 

that:

 Indicate in Question 80 that they are “not 

going to file” taxes; 

 Qualify for the automatic zero EFC

determination

Response to question 87 may be available 

through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

88-89 Parents’ 2014 income earned 

from work

Section 475(c)(3). Used to determine the Social 

Security Tax Allowance for the computation of 

available income for the parent contribution. 

Section 475(c)(5). Also used to determine an 

employment expense allowance for parents of 

dependent students, and available income for the 

parental contribution.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Question 88 is for Parent 1/Father’s earnings 

and Question 89 is for Parent 2/Mother’s 

earnings. These questions are dynamically 

displayed based on parent’s marital status.

Response to question 88 or 89 may be 

available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool 

when parent’s marital status is never married, 

divorced or separated, or widowed.

90 Parents’ cash, savings, and 

checking accounts

Sections 474(b)(4), 475(d)(2)(A) and 480(f) of the 

Act. The parent’s cash, savings and checking 

accounts are used to determine net worth for 

calculating EFC. 

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Question 90 will not be presented to parents 

that qualify for the automatic zero EFC

determination, the simplified needs test, or

who indicate they have less than the system 

calculated asset protection allowance.

91 Parents’ current net worth of 

investments

Sections 474(b)(4), 475(d)(2)(B), and 480(f) of the 

Act. The parent’s other real estate and investments 

and associated debts are used to determine adjusted 

net worth for calculating EFC. 

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Question 91 will not be presented to parents 

that qualify for the automatic zero EFC 

determination, the simplified needs test, or 

who indicate they have less than the system 

calculated asset protection allowance.
Question 

Number(s) Data Element(s) Data Element(s) Justification

FAFSA on the Web Treatment 

Data element is presented to all applicants, 

unless otherwise noted. Note that questions 

are not presented in numerical order online.

92 Parents’ current net worth of 

business and/or investment farm

Sections 474(b)(4), 475(h), 476(c)(2)(C), 

477(c)(2)(C) and 480(f) of the Act. The parent’s 

business and/or investment farm assets and associated 

debts are used to determine net worth for calculating 

EFC. A family farm, on which the family resides and 

materially operates, is excluded from the calculation 

of EFC. A family business that is owned and 

controlled by the family with fewer than 100 full-time 

employees is also excluded.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Question 92 will not be presented to parents 

that qualify for the automatic zero EFC

determination, the simplified needs test, or 

who indicate they have less than the system 

calculated asset protection allowance.

93 Parents’ additional financial aid 

information

Sections 480(a) and 480(e) of the HEA. Used to 

derive a figure for “excludable income” such as 

student financial aid, child support paid, etc., which is 

not to be included in defining total income for 

purposes of computing the expected family 

contribution.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Question 93 will not be presented to parents 

that qualify for the automatic zero EFC 

determination.

Response to 93a (education credits) may be 

available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

94 Parents’ untaxed income Section 480(b) and 480(c) of the HEA. Untaxed 

income for parents is used to determine available 

income for computing parental and student 

contribution.

Only presented to dependent students or 

students who indicate they wish to provide 

parental information.

Question 94 will not be presented to parents 

that qualify for the automatic zero EFC 

determination.

Response to 94b (IRA deductions and 

payments), 94d (tax exempt interest income), 

94e (untaxed portions of IRA distributions), 

and 94f (untaxed portions of pensions) may be 

available through IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

Step Five (Students) - Within FAFSA on the Web, the questions in this step (questions 95-102) are only presented to independent students.

95 Number in student household Sections 476(b)(1), 477(b)(4), and 480(l) of the HEA. 

Used to determine an income protection allowance for 

computation of independent student income.

Only presented to independent students.

May be pre-filled based on student response to 

Questions 16, 51, and 52 (marital status, 

children, and other dependents).

96 Number in college in 2015-2016 Sections 476(a)(2) and 477(a)(3) of the HEA. The 

expected family contribution from income and assets 

is divided by the number of persons in college who 

are enrolled on at least a half-time basis at an eligible 

institution to determine the expected family 

contribution for the applicant. 

Only presented to independent students.

97-101 Student or Spouse received 

federal benefits in 2013 or 2014

Sections 479(b) and 479(c). The HERA states that a 

family is eligible for the simplified needs or automatic 

zero EFC calculation if the student or parents received 

benefits and met the appropriate income threshold.

Only presented to independent students.

Questions 97-101 will not be presented to 

independent students that::

 Do not qualify for the automatic zero EFC

determination or simplified needs test;

 Respond “yes” to Question 102 (dislocated 

worker); or

 Indicated in Question 33 that they have 

filed an “IRS 1040A or 1040EZ”.
Question 

Number(s) Data Element(s) Data Element(s) Justification

FAFSA on the Web Treatment 

Data element is presented to all applicants, 

unless otherwise noted. Note that questions 

are not presented in numerical order online.

102 Dislocated worker The CCRAA, Section 479 authorizes simplified needs 

test and automatic zero EFC formula treatment for 

independent students if either the student or the 

student’s spouse is a dislocated worker. Consistent 

with Section 479(c), an independent student with no 

dependents other than a spouse remains ineligible for 

an automatic zero EFC determination.

Only presented to independent students.

Step Six (Students)

103a-103h Student’s college selections and 

housing plan at each

Used to generate electronic data rosters of applicants 

to educational institutions. These rosters facilitate the 

disbursement of aid by notifying financial aid 

administrators of the status of applicants who attend 

or may attend the institution. Reduces burden and 

facilitates the award process.

The paper FAFSA allows entry of four federal school 

codes. Questions 103a-103h are presented on the 

paper FAFSA.

FAFSA on the Web allows entry of ten school 

codes. Questions 103a-103t are presented 

online.

Step Seven (Students and Parents)

104-105 Certifications, date, and 

signatures

Serves as certification of the validity of the 

information reported on the application and as an edit. 

106-108 Preparer’s information Section 483(e) of the HEA requires that any 

application shall include the name, address, 

organizational affiliation, and either the social 

security number or employer identification number of 

the preparer of such application.

Questions 106-108 will only be presented if 

response is “Yes” to the filtering question –

“Are you a preparer?”