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Research Responses to FAFSA Reform and FTI Data

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  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. 1101 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-785-0453; Fax: 202-785-1487; e-mail: membership@NASFAA.org; Web site: http://www.nasfaa.org
    • Peer Reviewed:
      N
    • Source:
      10
    • Sponsoring Agency:
      Gates Foundation
    • Intended Audience:
      Researchers
    • Education Level:
      Higher Education
      Postsecondary Education
    • Subject Terms:
      Student Financial Aid; Financial Aid Applicants; College Applicants; Educational Change; Data Use; Student Records; Family Income; Taxes; Educational Research; Educational Researchers; Eligibility; Federal Aid; Grants; Alternative Assessment; National Surveys; Evaluation Criteria; Privacy; Student Financial Aid Officers
    • Subject Terms:
      Pell Grant Program
    • Subject Terms:
      American Community Survey
    • Abstract:
      This brief is written for financial aid researchers interested in using student and/or parent income data. Starting in the 2024-25 award year, certain income data fields are considered Federal Tax Information (FTI) and are subject to safeguards and policies governed by statute and by Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Department of Education regulations and guidance. These limitations include a prohibition on using FTI for research. FTI can, however, be used for the application, award, and administration of financial aid, under which some research activities may be categorized. These changes will be new to many researchers, so this brief provides useful background context, examples of alternative measures, and descriptions of lessons learned for researchers navigating FTI conversations. The aim is to raise awareness about these changes and to help researchers develop meaningful, mutually beneficial partnerships with financial aid administrators. [This report was produced by the Student Success Through Applied Research (SSTAR) Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.]
    • Abstract:
      ERIC
    • Publication Date:
      2026
    • Accession Number:
      ED680050