SIMPLIFYING_JJ STUDENT_NN1 AID_NN1 :_: THE_AT CASE_NN1 FOR_IF AN_AT1 EASIER_JJR ,_, FASTER_RRR ,_, AND_CC MORE_RGR ACCURATE_JJ FAFSA_NN1 Each_DD1 year_NNT1 ,_, the_AT federal_JJ government_NN1 makes_VVZ a_AT1 large_JJ investment_NN1 in_II college_NN1 affordability_NN1 ._. 
In_II fiscal_JJ year_NNT1 2009_MC ,_, this_DD1 investment_NN1 includes_VVZ $25_NNU billion_NNO in_II Pell_NP1 grant_NN1 scholarships_NN2 and_CC $87_NNU billion_NNO in_II student_NN1 loans_NN2 that_CST are_VBR helping_VVG over_RG 13_MC million_NNO students_NN2 to_TO attend_VVI a_AT1 four-year_JJ college_NN1 ,_, university_NN1 ,_, community_NN1 college_NN1 ,_, or_CC trade_NN1 school_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT President_NN1 's_GE 2010_MC budget_NN1 calls_VVZ for_IF a_AT1 12_MC percent_NNU increase_NN1 in_II these_DD2 programs_NN2 ._. 
Without_IW financial_JJ aid_NN1 ,_, many_DA2 of_IO these_DD2 students_NN2 would_VM not_XX be_VBI able_JK to_TO attend_VVI a_AT1 postsecondary_JJ institution_NN1 and_CC complete_VVI a_AT1 degree_NN1 or_CC certificate_NN1 ._. 
Academic_JJ research_NN1 confirms_VVZ the_AT importance_NN1 of_IO financial_JJ aid_NN1 ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, economist_NN1 Susan_NP1 Dynarski_NP1 estimates_VVZ that_CST a_AT1 $1,000_NNU decrease_NN1 in_II the_AT net_JJ price_NN1 of_IO college_NN1 (_( through_II ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, a_AT1 $1,000_NNU increase_NN1 in_II grant_NN1 aid_NN1 )_) increases_VVZ the_AT probability_NN1 of_IO attending_VVG college_NN1 by_II 4_MC percentage_NN1 points_NN2 and_CC increases_VVZ the_AT number_NN1 of_IO years_NNT2 of_IO college_NN1 completed_VVD by_RP about_RG 0.2_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
To_TO achieve_VVI the_AT goal_NN1 of_IO leading_VVG the_AT world_NN1 in_II college_NN1 completion_NN1 by_II 2020_MC ,_, President_NNB Obama_NP1 has_VHZ proposed_VVN a_AT1 historic_JJ expansion_NN1 of_IO Pell_NP1 grants_NN2 and_CC higher_JJR education_NN1 tax_NN1 credits_NN2 ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 reforms_NN2 to_II the_AT guaranteed_JJ and_CC Perkins_NP1 student_NN1 loan_NN1 programs_NN2 ._. 
However_RR ,_, these_DD2 expansions_NN2 in_II federal_JJ financial_JJ aid_NN1 will_VM only_RR be_VBI effective_JJ if_CS individuals_NN2 know_VV0 they_PPHS2 are_VBR available_JJ and_CC are_VBR not_XX discouraged_VVN from_II applying_VVG for_IF them_PPHO2 ._. 
Thus_RR ,_, a_AT1 key_JJ component_NN1 of_IO the_AT Administration_NN1 's_GE college_NN1 opportunity_NN1 agenda_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO reform_VVI the_AT student_NN1 aid_NN1 need_VV0 analysis_NN1 formula_NN1 and_CC thereby_RR simplify_VV0 the_AT FAFSA_NN1 ._. 
Despite_II the_AT existence_NN1 of_IO student_NN1 aid_NN1 ,_, college_NN1 remains_VVZ an_AT1 elusive_JJ opportunity_NN1 for_IF many_DA2 ._. 
While_CS nearly_RR 80_MC percent_NNU of_IO high-income_JJ students_NN2 attend_VV0 college_NN1 immediately_RR after_II high_JJ school_NN1 ,_, only_RR about_RG 63_MC percent_NNU of_IO middle-income_JJ students_NN2 and_CC 55_MC percent_NNU of_IO low-income_JJ students_NN2 do_VD0 so_RR ._. 
Low-income_JJ students_NN2 also_RR have_VH0 lower_JJR college_NN1 completion_NN1 rates_NN2 :_: approximately_RR 46_MC out_II21 of_II22 100_MC high-income_JJ high_JJ school_NN1 graduates_NN2 will_VM obtain_VVI a_AT1 postsecondary_JJ degree_NN1 or_CC certificate_NN1 ,_, compared_VVN to_II only_RR 23_MC out_II21 of_II22 100_MC low-income_JJ high_JJ school_NN1 graduates_NN2 ._. 
While_CS finances_NN2 are_VBR not_XX the_AT only_JJ hindrance_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 are_VBR important_JJ as_CSA these_DD2 disparities_NN2 by_II family_NN1 income_NN1 are_VBR not_XX fully_RR explained_VVN by_II differences_NN2 in_II students_NN2 '_GE college_NN1 preparedness_NN1 ._. 
Despite_II significant_JJ strides_NN2 in_II expanding_JJ access_NN1 to_II education_NN1 ,_, many_DA2 young_JJ people_NN 's_GE educational_JJ opportunities_NN2 are_VBR still_RR curtailed_VVN by_II their_APPGE financial_JJ circumstances_NN2 ._. 
If_CS the_AT U.S._NP1 is_VBZ to_TO remain_VVI economically_RR competitive_JJ in_II the_AT 21st_MD century_NNT1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ critical_JJ that_CST we_PPIS2 reverse_VV0 the_AT stagnating_JJ levels_NN2 of_IO educational_JJ attainment_NN1 observed_VVN over_II the_AT past_JJ 30_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
The_AT U.S._NP1 has_VHZ slipped_VVN behind_II other_JJ countries_NN2 in_II31 terms_II32 of_II33 postsecondary_JJ attainment_NN1 and_CC ,_, partly_RR as_II a_AT1 result_NN1 ,_, has_VHZ seen_VVN growing_JJ levels_NN2 of_IO income_NN1 inequality_NN1 ._. 
To_TO achieve_VVI the_AT goal_NN1 of_IO leading_VVG the_AT world_NN1 in_II college_NN1 completion_NN1 by_II 2020_MC ,_, President_NNB Obama_NP1 has_VHZ proposed_VVN a_AT1 historic_JJ expansion_NN1 of_IO Pell_NP1 grants_NN2 and_CC higher_JJR education_NN1 tax_NN1 credits_NN2 ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 reforms_NN2 to_II the_AT guaranteed_JJ and_CC Perkins_NP1 student_NN1 loan_NN1 programs_NN2 ._. 
However_RR ,_, these_DD2 expansions_NN2 in_II federal_JJ financial_JJ aid_NN1 will_VM only_RR be_VBI effective_JJ if_CS individuals_NN2 know_VV0 they_PPHS2 are_VBR available_JJ and_CC are_VBR not_XX discouraged_VVN from_II applying_VVG for_IF them_PPHO2 ._. 
Thus_RR ,_, a_AT1 key_JJ component_NN1 of_IO the_AT Administration_NN1 's_GE college_NN1 opportunity_NN1 agenda_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO reform_VVI the_AT student_NN1 aid_NN1 need_VV0 analysis_NN1 formula_NN1 and_CC thereby_RR simplify_VV0 the_AT FAFSA_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 report_NN1 reviews_VVZ the_AT evidence_NN1 that_CST the_AT current_JJ federal_JJ student_NN1 aid_NN1 application_NN1 hinders_VVZ postsecondary_JJ educational_JJ attainment_NN1 ,_, particularly_RR among_II low-income_JJ students_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 also_RR presents_VVZ the_AT Obama_NP1 Administration_NN1 's_GE three-part_JJ strategy_NN1 for_IF significantly_RR simplifying_VVG this_DD1 process_NN1 ._. 
First_MD ,_, applicants_NN2 are_VBR already_RR benefitting_VVG from_II improvements_NN2 in_II the_AT online_JJ FAFSA_NN1 ,_, with_IW more_RGR streamlining_JJ to_TO come_VVI in_II January_NPM1 2010_MC ._. 
Second_MD ,_, the_AT Administration_NN1 is_VBZ in_II the_AT process_NN1 of_IO allowing_VVG applicants_NN2 to_TO access_VVI data_NN they_PPHS2 have_VH0 provided_VVN to_II the_AT IRS_NN1 and_CC electronically_RR transfer_VV0 them_PPHO2 to_II the_AT Department_NN1 of_IO Education_NN1 ._. 
Finally_RR ,_, Congress_NN1 is_VBZ considering_VVG legislation_NN1 to_TO eliminate_VVI most_DAT questions_NN2 about_II savings_NN2 and_CC income_NN1 adjustments_NN2 that_CST are_VBR not_XX available_JJ from_II the_AT IRS_NN1 ,_, further_RRR reducing_VVG the_AT time_NNT1 required_VVN to_TO complete_VVI the_AT form_NN1 while_CS also_RR improving_VVG the_AT accuracy_NN1 and_CC verifiability_NN1 of_IO the_AT information_NN1 ._. 
An_AT1 analysis_NN1 of_IO data_NN on_II financial_JJ aid_NN1 applicants_NN2 suggests_VVZ that_CST these_DD2 changes_NN2 would_VM have_VHI a_AT1 very_RG small_JJ impact_NN1 on_II student_NN1 aid_NN1 eligibility_NN1 and_CC the_AT amount_NN1 of_IO aid_NN1 granted_VVD ._. 
This_DD1 finding_NN1 suggests_VVZ that_CST the_AT proposed_JJ simplification_NN1 of_IO the_AT financial_JJ aid_NN1 application_NN1 will_VM help_VVI increase_NN1 college_NN1 enrollment_NN1 by_II making_VVG college_NN1 more_RGR affordable_JJ for_IF millions_NNO2 of_IO eligible_JJ students_NN2 ._. 
II_MC ._. 
THE_AT COSTS_NN2 OF_IO COMPLEXITY_NN1 :_: WHAT_DDQ 'S_VBZ WRONG_JJ WITH_IW THE_AT CURRENT_JJ FAFSA_NN1 An_AT1 Unnecessary_JJ Chore_NN1 for_IF 16_MC Million_NNO Students_NN2 a_AT1 Year_NNT1 For_IF more_DAR than_CSN 16_MC million_NNO students_NN2 a_AT1 year_NNT1 ,_, applying_VVG for_IF financial_JJ aid_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 critical_JJ step_NN1 toward_II a_AT1 postsecondary_JJ education_NN1 ._. 
Average_JJ public_JJ two-year_JJ college_NN1 tuition_NN1 and_CC fees_NN2 are_VBR over_RG $2,400_NNU ._. 
For_IF four-year_JJ colleges_NN2 and_CC universities_NN2 ,_, tuition_NN1 and_CC fees_NN2 average_VV0 $6,600_NNU at_II public_JJ institutions_NN2 (_( for_IF in-state_JJ students_NN2 )_) and_CC over_RG $25,100_NNU at_II private_JJ ones_NN2 ._. 
Books_NN2 ,_, transportation_NN1 ,_, and_CC living_JJ expenses_NN2 add_VV0 thousands_NNO2 of_IO dollars_NNU2 more_RRR to_II college_NN1 costs_NN2 ._. 
All_DB federal_JJ aid_NN1 applicants_NN2 must_VM submit_VVI the_AT FAFSA_NN1 ._. 
The_AT form_NN1 is_VBZ six_MC pages_NN2 long_JJ and_CC has_VHZ 153_MC questions_NN2 ,_, requiring_VVG detailed_JJ information_NN1 about_II a_AT1 family_NN1 's_GE financial_JJ circumstances_NN2 ._. 
Students_NN2 and_CC their_APPGE families_NN2 must_VM answer_VVI questions_NN2 about_II last_MD year_NNT1 's_GE income_NN1 ,_, payments_NN2 made_VVN to_II tax-deferred_JJ pension_NN1 and_CC savings_NN2 plans_NN2 ,_, investments_NN2 and_CC real_JJ estate_NN1 ,_, IRA_NP1 deductions_NN2 and_CC untaxed_JJ distributions_NN2 ,_, untaxed_JJ portions_NN2 of_IO pensions_NN2 ,_, and_CC other_JJ forms_NN2 of_IO income_NN1 ._. 
All_DB of_IO these_DD2 questions_NN2 make_VV0 the_AT FAFSA_NN1 longer_RRR and_CC more_RGR complex_JJ than_CSN most_DAT tax_NN1 forms_NN2 ._. 
For_IF comparison_NN1 ,_, the_AT 1040EZ_FO tax_NN1 form_NN1 is_VBZ one_MC1 page_NN1 and_CC asks_VVZ just_RR 37_MC questions_NN2 and_CC the_AT 1040A_FO is_VBZ two_MC pages_NN2 with_IW 83_MC questions_NN2 ._. 
The_AT detailed_JJ financial_JJ questions_NN2 are_VBR intended_VVN to_TO target_VVI federal_JJ student_NN1 aid_NN1 to_II those_DD2 most_RRT in_II need_NN1 ._. 
However_RR ,_, research_NN1 suggests_VVZ that_CST the_AT financial_JJ detail_NN1 and_CC associated_JJ complexity_NN1 yield_NN1 only_RR minimal_JJ improvements_NN2 in_II targeting_VVG while_CS requiring_VVG a_AT1 great_JJ deal_NN1 of_IO time_NNT1 and_CC effort_NN1 for_IF applicants_NN2 ,_, institutions_NN2 and_CC the_AT federal_JJ government_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 can_VM take_VVI many_DA2 hours_NNT2 to_TO understand_VVI the_AT rules_NN2 ,_, gather_VV0 information_NN1 ,_, and_CC complete_VV0 the_AT form_NN1 ._. 
These_DD2 are_VBR difficult_JJ tasks_NN2 for_IF anyone_PN1 ,_, and_CC may_VM be_VBI particularly_RR difficult_JJ for_IF students_NN2 hoping_VVG to_TO be_VBI the_AT first_MD in_II their_APPGE families_NN2 to_TO attend_VVI college_NN1 ._. 
Perhaps_RR unsurprisingly_RR ,_, the_AT complexity_NN1 of_IO the_AT form_NN1 has_VHZ created_VVN a_AT1 market_NN1 for_IF private_JJ companies_NN2 that_CST charge_NN1 families_NN2 for_IF help_NN1 ._. 
The_AT web_NN1 site_NN1 FAFSA.com_NP1 charges_NN2 $80_NNU to_II $100_NNU per_II form_NN1 and_CC gets_VVZ tens_MC2 of_IO thousands_NNO2 of_IO customers_NN2 a_AT1 month_NNT1 during_II application_NN1 season_NNT1 ._. 
Making_VVG matters_NN2 worse_JJR ,_, many_DA2 families_NN2 must_VM submit_VVI their_APPGE income_NN1 information_NN1 multiple_JJ times_NNT2 ._. 
Tax_NN1 returns_NN2 are_VBR due_JJ in_II April_NPM1 ,_, but_CCB many_DA2 schools_NN2 require_VV0 the_AT FAFSA_NN1 by_II February_NPM1 or_CC March_NPM1 ._. 
As_II a_AT1 result_NN1 ,_, millions_NNO2 of_IO families_NN2 enter_VV0 preliminary_JJ estimates_NN2 in_II the_AT FAFSA_NN1 and_CC are_VBR asked_VVN to_TO correct_VVI them_PPHO2 later_RRR ,_, after_II completing_VVG their_APPGE tax_NN1 returns_NN2 ._. 
Concerned_JJ that_CST applying_VVG for_IF financial_JJ aid_NN1 has_VHZ become_VVN overly_RR burdensome_JJ to_II students_NN2 and_CC their_APPGE families_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 blue_JJ ribbon_NN1 panel_NN1 of_IO student_NN1 aid_NN1 experts_NN2 assembled_VVN by_II the_AT College_NN1 Board_NN1 recently_RR made_VVN simplification_NN1 of_IO the_AT process_NN1 its_APPGE first_MD recommendation_NN1 ._. 
Others_NN2 who_PNQS have_VH0 called_VVN for_IF a_AT1 simplified_JJ student_NN1 aid_NN1 application_NN1 include_VV0 the_AT Spellings_NN2 Commission_NN1 on_II the_AT Future_NN1 of_IO Higher_JJR Education_NN1 ,_, the_AT American_JJ Council_NN1 on_II Education_NN1 (_( ACE_NP1 )_) ,_, the_AT National_JJ College_NN1 Access_NN1 Network_NN1 (_( NCAN_NP1 )_) ,_, The_AT Institute_NN1 for_IF College_NN1 Access_NN1 and_CC Success_NN1 (_( TICAS_NP2 )_) ,_, the_AT National_JJ Association_NN1 of_IO Student_NN1 Financial_JJ Aid_NN1 Administrators_NN2 (_( NASFAA_NP1 )_) ,_, the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 Student_NN1 Association_NN1 (_( USSA_NP1 )_) ,_, and_CC the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 Public_JJ Interest_NN1 Research_NN1 Group_NN1 (_( US_NP1 PIRG_NP1 )_) ._. 
An_AT1 Obstacle_NN1 for_IF Low-Income_NP1 Students_NN2 Complexity_NN1 obscures_VVZ the_AT true_JJ cost_NN1 of_IO college_NN1 to_II families_NN2 Not_XX only_RR does_VDZ the_AT current_JJ student_NN1 aid_NN1 application_NN1 cost_NN1 students_NN2 and_CC their_APPGE families_NN2 time_NNT1 and_CC frustration_NN1 ,_, but_CCB its_APPGE complexity_NN1 also_RR makes_VVZ it_PPH1 difficult_JJ for_IF students_NN2 to_TO predict_VVI their_APPGE aid_NN1 eligibility_NN1 and_CC the_AT true_JJ cost_NN1 of_IO college_NN1 prior_II21 to_II22 enrollment_NN1 ._. 
The_AT result_NN1 is_VBZ that_CST the_AT entire_JJ financial_JJ aid_NN1 process_NN1 hinders_VVZ postsecondary_JJ educational_JJ attainment_NN1 for_IF low-income_JJ students_NN2 from_II the_AT very_JJ start_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Advisory_JJ Committee_NN1 on_II Student_NN1 Financial_JJ Assistance_NN1 finds_VVZ that_DD1 lack_NN1 of_IO information_NN1 and_CC misinformation_NN1 about_II aid_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 serious_JJ deterrent_NN1 to_II applying_VVG for_IF aid_NN1 among_II community_NN1 college_NN1 students_NN2 ._. 
Of_IO full-time_JJ students_NN2 who_PNQS did_VDD not_XX apply_VVI for_IF financial_JJ aid_NN1 ,_, 39_MC percent_NNU said_VVD they_PPHS2 thought_VVD they_PPHS2 were_VBDR not_XX eligible_JJ for_IF aid_NN1 ,_, even_CS21 though_CS22 most_DAT likely_JJ were_VBDR ._. 
Interviews_NN2 with_IW aid_NN1 administrators_NN2 confirmed_VVD that_CST often_RR students_NN2 do_VD0 not_XX know_VVI how_RRQ aid_NN1 works_NN or_CC ,_, in_II some_DD cases_NN2 ,_, even_RR that_DD1 aid_NN1 is_VBZ available_JJ ._. 
Economists_NN2 Susan_NP1 Dynarksi_NP1 and_CC Judith_NP1 Scott-Clayton_NP1 (_( 2007_MC )_) make_VV0 the_AT following_JJ analogy_NN1 :_: Imagine_VV0 a_AT1 car_NN1 dealer_NN1 who_PNQS told_VVD customers_NN2 about_II a_AT1 rebate_NN1 incentive_NN1 only_RR after_CS they_PPHS2 had_VHD agreed_VVN to_TO purchase_VVI a_AT1 car_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ would_VM happen_VVI ?_? 
Customers_NN2 who_PNQS were_VBDR willing_JJ to_TO buy_VVI at_II the_AT pre-rebate_JJ price_NN1 would_VM be_VBI pleasantly_RR surprised_JJ and_CC drive_VV0 out_II21 of_II22 the_AT dealership_NN1 with_IW their_APPGE wallets_NN2 a_AT1 little_JJ fuller_JJR than_CSN they_PPHS2 had_VHD anticipated_VVN ._. 
Customers_NN2 scared_VVD off_RP by_II the_AT sticker_NN1 price_NN1 would_VM never_RR even_RR learn_VVI about_II the_AT rebate_NN1 and_CC would_VM walk_VVI out_RP not_XX knowing_VVG that_CST the_AT car_NN1 they_PPHS2 wanted_VVD was_VBDZ affordable_JJ ._. 
For_IF student_NN1 aid_NN1 to_TO be_VBI effective_JJ in_II increasing_JJ college_NN1 enrollment_NN1 ,_, students_NN2 must_VM be_VBI able_JK to_TO predict_VVI how_RGQ much_DA1 aid_NN1 they_PPHS2 will_VM receive_VVI ._. 
Simplifying_VVG the_AT student_NN1 aid_NN1 formula_NN1 and_CC application_NN1 process_NN1 would_VM allow_VVI families_NN2 to_TO estimate_VVI aid_NN1 amounts_NN2 as_CSA they_PPHS2 are_VBR deciding_VVG whether_CSW college_NN1 is_VBZ an_AT1 affordable_JJ option_NN1 ._. 
Complexity_NN1 hinders_VVZ application_NN1 for_IF financial_JJ aid_NN1 and_CC college_NN1 enrollment_NN1 Research_NN1 from_II other_JJ social_JJ programs_NN2 shows_VVZ that_CST relatively_RR minor_JJ hurdles_NN2 like_II a_AT1 401(k)_FO enrollment_NN1 form_NN1 can_VM have_VHI large_JJ effects_NN2 on_II behavior_NN1 ._. 
Economists_NN2 Brigitte_NP1 Madrian_NP1 and_CC Dennis_NP1 Shea_NP1 (_( 2001_MC )_) ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, find_VV0 that_CST automatic_JJ enrollment_NN1 dramatically_RR increases_VVZ employee_NN1 participation_NN1 in_II retirement_NN1 plans_NN2 ._. 
For_IF workers_NN2 earning_VVG less_DAR than_CSN $20,000_NNU ,_, enrollment_NN1 jumps_VVZ from_II 13_MC percent_NNU to_II 80_MC percent_NNU when_CS the_AT default_NN1 option_NN1 is_VBZ changed_VVN to_II enrollment_NN1 ._. 
Similarly_RR ,_, economist_NN1 Janet_NP1 Currie_NP1 (_( 2006_MC )_) finds_VVZ that_DD1 take-up_NN1 rates_NN2 of_IO social_JJ programs_NN2 increase_VV0 when_RRQ eligible_JJ participants_NN2 are_VBR automatically_RR enrolled_VVN and_CC administrative_JJ barriers_NN2 are_VBR reduced_VVN ._. 
Research_NN1 in_II education_NN1 similarly_RR suggests_VVZ that_CST the_AT complexity_NN1 of_IO the_AT FAFSA_NN1 presents_VVZ a_AT1 high_JJ hurdle_NN1 ._. 
Jacqueline_NP1 King_NN1 of_IO the_AT American_JJ Council_NN1 on_II Education_NN1 finds_VVZ that_CST approximately_RR 1.5_MC million_NNO students_NN2 who_PNQS would_VM have_VHI been_VBN eligible_JJ for_IF Pell_NP1 grants_VVZ in_II 2003-04_MCMC did_VDD not_XX complete_VVI the_AT FAFSA_NN1 ._. 
Similarly_RR ,_, data_NN from_II the_AT National_JJ Postsecondary_JJ Student_NN1 Aid_NN1 Study_NN1 indicate_VV0 that_CST over_RG 30_MC percent_NNU of_IO full-time_JJ community_NN1 college_NN1 students_NN2 with_IW family_NN1 incomes_NN2 below_RG $50,000_NNU did_VDD not_XX apply_VVI for_IF federal_JJ aid_NN1 ._. 
Since_CS many_DA2 of_IO these_DD2 students_NN2 are_VBR eligible_JJ for_IF Pell_NP1 grants_VVZ ,_, this_DD1 is_VBZ clear_JJ evidence_NN1 that_CST federal_JJ aid_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX reaching_VVG all_DB students_NN2 for_IF whom_PNQO it_PPH1 is_VBZ intended_VVN ._. 
First-hand_JJ observer_NN1 Pat_NP1 Watkins_NP1 ,_, the_AT financial_JJ aid_NN1 director_NN1 at_II Eckerd_NP1 College_NN1 ,_, summarizes_VVZ it_PPH1 as_CSA ,_, "_" Students_NN2 who_PNQS would_VM be_VBI eligible_JJ for_IF aid_NN1 see_VV0 how_RGQ complex_JJ the_AT form_NN1 is_VBZ ,_, get_VV0 what_DDQ I_PPIS1 call_VV0 'form_NN1 fright'_NN1 and_CC just_RR stop_VV0 ._. "_" 
The_AT most_RGT direct_JJ attempt_NN1 to_TO test_VVI the_AT impact_NN1 of_IO complexity_NN1 in_II the_AT financial_JJ aid_NN1 application_NN1 process_NN1 is_VBZ an_AT1 on-going_JJ experiment_NN1 by_II student_NN1 aid_NN1 experts_NN2 in_II partnership_NN1 with_IW H_ZZ1 &R;_NULL Block_NN1 ._. 
One_MC1 randomly-selected_JJ set_NN1 of_IO participants_NN2 was_VBDZ given_VVN application_NN1 assistance_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 FAFSA_NN1 form_VV0 that_DD1 was_VBDZ already_RR partially_RR completed_VVN with_IW tax_NN1 information_NN1 ,_, while_CS another_DD1 was_VBDZ given_VVN the_AT traditional_JJ FAFSA_NN1 form_NN1 and_CC no_AT assistance_NN1 ._. 
The_AT assistance_NN1 and_CC simplified_JJ form_NN1 increased_VVD the_AT share_NN1 of_IO high_JJ school_NN1 seniors_NN2 and_CC recent_JJ graduates_NN2 who_PNQS completed_VVD the_AT FAFSA_NN1 by_II 39_MC percent_NNU ._. 
FAFSA_NP1 completion_NN1 increased_VVN by_II 58_MC percent_NNU among_II independent_JJ students_NN2 who_PNQS had_VHD previously_RR attended_VVN college_NN1 and_CC by_II 186_MC percent_NNU among_II independent_JJ students_NN2 who_PNQS had_VHD never_RR been_VBN to_II college_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX only_RR did_VDD participants_NN2 who_PNQS were_VBDR selected_VVN to_TO receive_VVI assistance_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 simplified_JJ form_NN1 complete_VV0 the_AT FAFSA_NN1 at_II higher_JJR rates_NN2 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 were_VBDR more_RGR likely_JJ to_TO actually_RR enroll_VVI in_II college_NN1 as_RR21 well_RR22 ._. 
Assistance_NN1 with_IW the_AT FAFSA_NN1 application_NN1 increased_JJ college_NN1 enrollment_NN1 by_II nearly_RR 30_MC percent_NNU for_IF graduating_VVG high_JJ school_NN1 seniors_NN2 and_CC by_II 20_MC percent_NNU for_IF older_JJR ,_, independent_JJ students_NN2 who_PNQS had_VHD not_XX previously_RR attended_VVN college_NN1 ,_, with_IW a_AT1 particularly_RR strong_JJ effect_NN1 for_IF students_NN2 with_IW incomes_NN2 less_DAR than_CSN $22,000_NNU ._. 
These_DD2 findings_NN2 are_VBR consistent_JJ with_IW more_RGR general_JJ evidence_NN1 on_II the_AT complexity_NN1 of_IO the_AT college_NN1 and_CC financial_JJ aid_NN1 application_NN1 process_NN1 ._. 
In_II a_AT1 survey_NN1 of_IO low-income_JJ high_JJ school_NN1 students_NN2 in_II Boston_NP1 ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, researchers_NN2 Christopher_NP1 Avery_NP1 and_CC Thomas_NP1 Kane_NP1 (_( 2004_MC )_) report_VV0 that_CST even_RR those_DD2 students_NN2 with_IW high_JJ ambitions_NN2 and_CC high_JJ implicit_JJ valuation_NN1 of_IO college_NN1 education_NN1 were_VBDR discouraged_VVN by_II relatively_RR minor_JJ hurdles_NN2 in_II the_AT college_NN1 application_NN1 process_NN1 ._. 
The_AT financial_JJ aid_NN1 system_NN1 relies_VVZ on_II students_NN2 and_CC families_NN2 to_TO accurately_RR report_VVI their_APPGE incomes_NN2 and_CC assets_NN2 ._. 
Colleges_NN2 are_VBR only_RR required_VVN to_TO verify_VVI the_AT information_NN1 contained_VVN in_II up_RG21 to_RG22 30_MC percent_NNU of_IO the_AT aid_NN1 applications_NN2 that_CST their_APPGE students_NN2 submit_VV0 ._. 
Even_RR in_II these_DD2 applications_NN2 ,_, there_EX are_VBR only_RR five_MC types_NN2 of_IO data_NN that_CST must_VM be_VBI verified_VVN :_: household_NN1 size_NN1 ,_, number_NN1 of_IO family_NN1 members_NN2 enrolled_VVN in_II college_NN1 ,_, adjusted_VVN gross_JJ income_NN1 ,_, taxes_NN2 paid_VVN ,_, and_CC untaxed_JJ income_NN1 (_( including_II Social_JJ Security_NN1 benefits_NN2 ,_, child_NN1 support_NN1 ,_, IRA/Keogh_NP1 deductions_NN2 ,_, foreign_JJ income_NN1 ,_, earned_VVD income_NN1 credit_NN1 ,_, and_CC interest_NN1 on_II tax-free_JJ bonds_NN2 )_) ._. 
