FAFSA Glossary

Contributor

A contributor is any individual required to provide a signature and consent on the FAFSA form, including the student, student’s spouse, biological or adoptive parent, and/or the parent’s spouse (step-parent).

Direct Data Exchange (DDX)

The IRS will develop the FUTURE Act–Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX) technology solution, which will establish a secure connection between the IRS and FSA agencies to process requests in near-real time.

Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) electronically transfers Federal Tax Return Information (for students and parents) into your FAFSA form. 

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is an index number used to determine your eligibility for federal student financial aid and is based on the information you provide in your FAFSA form.

Federal Student Aid (FSA)

Federal Student Aid (FSA) is an office of the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal Tax Information (FTI)     

Federal tax information (FTI) consists of federal tax returns and return information (and information obtained from it).

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the revenue service for the United States federal government, which is responsible for collecting U.S. federal taxes and administering the Internal Revenue Code, the main body of the federal statutory tax law.

Parent

The meaning of parent for FAFSA application purposes is defined as your biological or adoptive parent and/or the parent’s spouse (step-parent).

Student Aid Index (SAI)

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a number that determines each student’s eligibility for certain types of federal student aid. This number is calculated with formulas that use information that you provide on your FAFSA form.