(a) In generalFor the purpose of this chapter, the term “student aid index” means, with respect to a student, an index that reflects an evaluation of a student’s approximate financial resources to contribute toward the student’s postsecondary education for the academic year, as determined in accordance with this part.
(b) Special rule for students eligible for the total maximum Pell GrantThe Secretary shall consider an applicant to automatically have a student aid index equal to zero if the applicant is eligible for the total maximum Federal Pell Grant under section 1070a(b)(1)(A) of this title, except that, if the applicant has a calculated student aid index of less than zero the Secretary shall consider the negative number as the student aid index for the applicant.
(c) Special rule for nonfilersNotwithstanding subsection (b), for an applicant (or, as applicable, an applicant and spouse, or an applicant’s parents) who is not required to file a Federal tax return for the second preceding tax year, the Secretary shall for the purposes of this subchapter consider the student aid index as equal to − $1,500 for the applicant.
(Pub. L. 89–329, title IV, § 473, as added Pub. L. 99–498, title IV, § 406(a), Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1455; amended Pub. L. 102–325, title IV, § 471(a), July 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 586; Pub. L. 105–244, title IV, § 480(b), Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1732; Pub. L. 111–39, title IV, § 406(a)(1), July 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 1948; Pub. L. 115–141, div. H, title III, § 317, Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 753; Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title VII, § 702(b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3138.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments2020—Pub. L. 116–260 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section provided definition of family contribution with respect to any student for the purpose of this subchapter, other than subpart 2 of part A, and provided special rule related to family contribution.
2018—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 115–141, § 317(1)(A), inserted “(in the case of a student who meets the requirement of subparagraph (B)(i)), or academic year 2018–2019 (in the case of a student who meets the requirement of subparagraph (B)(ii)),” after “academic year 2009–2010” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 115–141, § 317(1)(B), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “whose parent or guardian was a member of the Armed Forces of the United States and died as a result of performing military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001; and”.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 115–141, § 317(2), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted heading, substituted “subparagraphs (A), (B)(i), and (C) of paragraph (2)” for “paragraph (2)”, and added subpar. (B).
Subsec. (b)(4), (5). Pub. L. 115–141, § 317(3), added pars. (4) and (5).
2009—Pub. L. 111–39 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, substituted “For the purpose of this subchapter, other than subpart 2 of part A, and except as provided in subsection (b),” for “For the purpose of this subchapter, except subpart 2 of part A,”, and added subsec. (b).
1998—Pub. L. 105–244 substituted “subpart 2” for “subpart 4”.
1992—Pub. L. 102–325 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows: “For the purpose of this subchapter, except subparts 1 and 3 of part A, the term ‘family contribution’ with respect to any student means the amount which the student and his or her family may be reasonably expected to contribute toward his or her postsecondary education for the academic year for which the determination is made, as determined in accordance with this part.”
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2020 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 116–260 effective July 1, 2024, except as otherwise expressly provided, and applicable with respect to award year 2024–2025 and each subsequent award year, as determined under this chapter, see section 701(b) of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 1001 of this title. Implementation of amendment by Pub. L. 116–260 allowed on or after July 1, 2023, see section 102(c)(1)(A)(i) of Pub. L. 117–103, set out as an On-Time Effective Date Permitted note under section 1070a of this title.
Effective Date of 2009 AmendmentPub. L. 111–39, title IV, § 406(b), July 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 1950, provided that:
“The amendments made by—
“(1) paragraph (1) of subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on July 1, 2009; and
“(2) paragraph (4) of such subsection [amending section 1087ss of this title] shall be effective as if enacted as part of the amendments in section 602(a) of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (Public Law 110–84), and shall take effect on July 1, 2009.”
Effective Date of 1998 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 105–244 effective Oct. 7, 1998, see section 480A of Pub. L. 105–244, set out as a note under section 1087kk of this title.
Effective Date of 1992 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 102–325 applicable with respect to determinations of need under this part for award years beginning on or after July 1, 1993, see section 471(b) of Pub. L. 102–325, set out as a note under section 1087kk of this title.