1. Short title This Act may be cited as the FAFSA Simplification Act of 2019 . 2. Making it easier to apply for Federal aid and making that aid predictable (a) Need analysis (1) In general Section 471 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087kk ) is amended to read as follows: 471. Amount of need (a) In general Except as otherwise provided therein, beginning with award year 2021–2022, the amount of need of any student for financial assistance under this title (except subpart 1 or 2 of part A) is equal to— (1) the cost of attendance of such student, minus (2) the student aid index (as defined in section 473) for such student, minus (3) other financial assistance not received under this title (as defined in section 480(j)). (b) Effective date of changes The amendments made to this title under the FAFSA Simplification Act of 2019 shall take effect beginning with award year 2021–2022. The amounts provided under such amendments for award year 2020–2021 shall be used solely as a base to determine adjustments for subsequent award years. . (2) Maximum aid under part D Section 451 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087a ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (c) Maximum aid The maximum dollar amount of financial assistance provided under this part to a student shall not exceed the cost of attendance for such student. . (3) Guidance to states The Secretary of Education shall issue guidance for States on interpretation and implementation of the terminology and formula adjustments made under the amendments made by this Act, including the student aid index, formerly known as the expected family contribution, and the need analysis formulas. (b) Student aid index Section 473 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087mm ) is amended to read as follows: 473. Student aid index (a) In general For the purpose of this title, other than subpart 1 or 2 of part A, the term student aid index means, with respect to a student, an index that reflects an evaluation of a student’s approximate