12 2 STA T .3 2 78PUBLIC LA W 11 0– 31 5— AU G .1 4, 2008 an ann u a lsched ule forp ro vi din g such specifica t ions .T he S ec - retar y, tothee x tent practica b le, shall use m ultiple means of providing such specifications, including conferences and other meetings, outreach, and technical support mechanisms ( such as training and printed reference materials ) . The Secretary shall, from time to time, solicit from such organi z ations and consortia means of improving the support provided by the Sec- retary. ‘ ‘( 12 ) PARENT’S S OCI A L SEC U RIT Y NU MB ER AN D BIRT H DATE. — The Secretary is authorized to include space on the forms developed under this subsection for the social security number and birth date of parents of dependent students see k ing finan- cial assistance under this title.’’
(2) by striking subsections (b) and (e); ( 3 ) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) (as amended by section 1 0 3(b)(10)) as subsections (b) and (c), respectively; ( 4 ) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by paragraph (3)), by striking ‘‘that is authorized’’ and all that follo w s through the period at the end and inserting ‘‘or other appropriate pro- vider of technical assistance and information on postsecondary educational services for individuals with disabilities, including the N ational Technical A ssistance C enter under section 7 77. The Secretary shall continue to implement, to the extent prac- ticable, a toll-free telephone based system to permit applicants who meet the re q uirements of subsection (b) or (c) of section 47 9 to submit an application over such system.’’; and ( 5 ) by adding at the end the following
‘‘(d) ASSISTANCE IN PRE P ARATION O FF INANCIAL AID APPLICA- TION.— ‘‘(1) PREPARATION AUTHORI Z ED.—Notwithstanding any provision of this Act, an applicant may use a preparer for consultative or preparation services for the completion of a form developed under subsection (a) if the preparer satisfies the requirements of this subsection. ‘‘(2) PREPARER IDENTIFICATION RE Q UIRED.— I f an applicant uses a preparer for consultative or preparation services for the completion of a form developed under subsection (a), and for which a fee is charged, the preparer shall— ‘‘(A) include, at the time the form is submitted to the D epartment, the name, address or employer’s address, social security number or employer identification number, and organizational affiliation of the preparer on the applicant’s form; and ‘‘( B )besub j ect to the same penalties as an applicant for purposely giving false or misleading information in the application. ‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.—A preparer that provides consultative or preparation services pursuant to this subsection shall— ‘‘(A) clearly inform each individual upon initial contact, including contact through the Internet or by telephone, that the FAFSA and EZ FAFSA are free forms that may be completed without professional assistance via paper or electronic version of the forms that are provided by the Secretary; ‘‘(B) include in any advertising clear and conspicuous information that the FAFSA and EZ FAFSA are free forms Com m unicat ion an d t el e - communication s.
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