§ 1087pp.
Family contribution for independent students without dependents other than a spouse
(a)
Computation of expected family contribution
For each independent student without dependents other than a spouse, the expected family contribution is determined by—
(1)
adding—
(A)
the family’s contribution from available income (determined in accordance with subsection (b)); and
(B)
the family’s contribution from assets (determined in accordance with subsection (c));
(2)
dividing the sum resulting under paragraph (1) by the number of students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment, on at least a half-time basis, in a degree, certificate, or other program leading to a recognized educational credential at an institution of higher education that is an eligible institution in accordance with the provisions of
section 1094 of this title during the award period for which assistance under this subchapter is requested; and
(3)
for periods of enrollment of less than 9 months, for purposes other than subpart 2 of part A—
(A)
dividing the quotient resulting under paragraph (2) by 9; and
(B)
multiplying the result by the number of months in the period of enrollment;
except that the amount determined under this subsection shall not be less than zero.
(b)
Family’s contribution from available income
(1)
In general
The family’s contribution from income is determined by—
(A)
(i)
Federal income taxes;
(ii)
an allowance for State and other taxes, determined in accordance with paragraph (2);
(iii)
an allowance for social security taxes, determined in accordance with paragraph (3);
(iv)
an income protection allowance of the following amount (or a successor amount prescribed by the Secretary under
section 1087rr of this title)—
(I)
for single or separated students, or married students where both are enrolled pursuant to subsection (a)(2)—
(aa)
for academic year 2009–2010, $7,000;
(bb)
for academic year 2010–2011, $7,780;
(cc)
for academic year 2011–2012, $8,550; and
(dd)
for academic year 2012–2013, $9,330; and
(II)
for married students where 1 is enrolled pursuant to subsection (a)(2)—
(aa)
for academic year 2009–2010, $11,220;
(bb)
for academic year 2010–2011, $12,460;
(cc)
for academic year 2011–2012, $13,710; and
(dd)
for academic year 2012–2013, $14,960;
(v)
in the case where a spouse is present, an employment expense allowance, as determined in accordance with paragraph (4); and
(B)
assessing such available income in accordance with paragraph (5).
(2)
Allowance for State and other taxes
(3)
Allowance for social security taxes
(4)
Employment expenses allowance
The employment expense allowance is determined as follows (or using a successor provision prescribed by the Secretary under
section 1087rr of this title):
(A)
If the student is married and the student’s spouse is employed in the year for which income is reported, such allowance is equal to the lesser of $2,500 or 35 percent of the earned income of the student or spouse with the lesser earned income.
(B)
If a student is not married, the employment expense allowance is zero.
(5)
Assessment of available income
([Pub. L. 89–329, title IV, § 476], as added [Pub. L. 99–498, title IV, § 406(a)], Oct. 17, 1986, [100 Stat. 1463]; amended [Pub. L. 100–50, § 14(1)], (3), (4), (13)–(17), June 3, 1987, [101 Stat. 349], 351; [Pub. L. 102–325, title IV, § 471(a)], July 23, 1992, [106 Stat. 594]; [Pub. L. 103–208, § 2(g)(6)], Dec. 20, 1993, [107 Stat. 2472]; [Pub. L. 105–78, title VI, § 609(h)], Nov. 13, 1997, [111 Stat. 1524]; [Pub. L. 105–244, title IV, § 474], Oct. 7, 1998, [112 Stat. 1730]; [Pub. L. 109–171, title VIII, § 8017(b)(1)], Feb. 8, 2006, [120 Stat. 173]; [Pub. L. 110–84, title VI, § 601(b)], Sept. 27, 2007, [121 Stat. 801]; [Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title VII, § 702(e)], Dec. 27, 2020, [134 Stat. 3145].)