College students must file the form each year to get financial aid from the federal government.
Many states and colleges also base their own aid on the federal form.
Some changes, like shielding more of a family’s income from the aid calculation, tend to increase eligibility for financial help.
About a third of college students have a sibling who is also enrolled, Dr. Levine said.
One rationale for the change is that financing a college education now involves long-term saving and borrowing, and isn’t something that most people can pay for with their current income.
Persons:
Pell, MorraLee Keller, Levine, ” Dr
Organizations:
Education Department, National College