STUDY ON REGIONAL SENSITIVITY IN THE NEEDS ANALYSIS FORMULA.

SEC. 1114. STUDY ON REGIONAL SENSITIVITY IN THE NEEDS ANALYSIS FORMULA.(a) Study.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to review the methodology that is used to determine the expected family contribution under part F of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087kk et seq.).(b) Study Components.—The study conducted under subsection (a) shall identify and evaluate the needs analysis formula under part F of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087kk et seq.) and examine the need for regional sensitivity in need analysis. The study shall include—(1) the factors that are used to determine a student’s expected family contribution under part F of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965;(2) the varying allowances that are made in calculating the expected family contribution;(3) the effects of the income protection allowance on all aid recipients; and(4) options for modifying the income protection allowance to reflect the significant differences in the cost of living in various parts of the United States.(c) Report.—Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall report to the authorizing committees on the results of the study conducted under this section.122 STAT. 3499