Issues in student financial need analysis are considered, based on the work of the Committee on Standards of Ability to Pay (CSAP) of the College Scholarship Service. The three major sections of the paper concern: CSAP's preliminary recommendations for changes in the 1986-1987 Uniform Methodology; a review of some of the methodological issues that the CSAP investigated during 1984; and the treatment of dependent and self-supporting student earnings. The CSAP recommends changes in two areas of the Uniform Methodology: treatment of business and farm losses, and treatment of tax-deferred income. The CSAP invites the reactions and advice of member representatives on specific issues, including: the medical/dental allowance; the Asset Protection Allowance, and the treatment of pension assets and IRA/Keogh accumulations; it also solicits guidance on a new approach to treating family assets. Included as an appendix is a draft copy of the report by the Task Force on Student Earnings, a subcommittee of Needs Assessment and Delivery of the National Student Aid Coalition. After briefly discussing the basic philosophy of need analysis, this draft report summarizes the Task Force's research on the ability of dependent students to earn and save, and the reasonableness of the current and proposed earnings expectations. (SW)