20 U.S.C. § 1087nn - Determination of expected family contribution; data elements

20 USC 1087nn - Determination of expected family contribution; data elements

(a) General rule for determination of expected family contribution 
The expected family contribution
(1) for a dependent student shall be determined in accordance with section 1087oo of this title;
(2) for a single independent student or a married independent student without dependents (other than a spouse) shall be determined in accordance with section 1087pp of this title; and
(3) for an independent student with dependents other than a spouse shall be determined in accordance with section 1087qq of this title.
(b) Data elements 
The following data elements are considered in determining the expected family contribution:
(1) the available income of
(A)  the student and the students spouse, or
(B)  the student and the students parents, in the case of a dependent student;
(2) the number of dependents in the family of the student;
(3) the number of dependents in the family of the student, excluding the students parents, 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 and for whom the family may reasonably be expected to contribute to their postsecondary education;
(4) the net assets of
(A)  the student and the students spouse, and
(B)  the student and the students parents, in the case of a dependent student;
(5) the marital status of the student;
(6) the age of the older parent, in the case of a dependent student, and the student; and
(7) the additional expenses incurred
(A)  in the case of a dependent student, when both parents of the student are employed or when the family is headed by a single parent who is employed, or
(B)  in the case of an independent student, when the student is married and the students spouse is employed, or when the employed student qualifies as a surviving spouse or as a head of a household under section 2 of title 26.