Are you like me and have a dad, mom, step-mom, and step-dad? I have more step-family than real family! When I see FAFSA applications coming in, I can't always tell if the dependent student's natural parents are married, if a parent is remarried, or even whose financial information is being used. If it's sometimes confusing to me as to which parent's information should be used on the FAFSA, it's got to be even more perplexing for students and families. Remember, parent information is required only if you were not able to answer yes to one of the questions in Step 3 of the FAFSA.

So which parent's information should be used if you are a dependent student on the FASFA?

• If natural parents are married at the time the FAFSA is filed, use both parent incomes and information.
• If your natural parents are separated or divorced at the time the FAFSA is filed, the parent who provides over 50% of your support (usually the parent you live with) is required to report information on the FAFSA. If your parents filed a joint tax return, include only the portion of the parent's tax income for who is required to provide information on the FAFSA. In other words, if mom provides over 50% of your support and is required to report her information on the FAFSA, then use only her income even if a joint tax return was filed.
• If your natural parents are divorced and one or both are remarried, you will use the information for the parent who provides over 50% of your support. If that parent is remarried, you will also have to report step-parent information even if your step-parent does not contribute in any way to your living expenses or cost of education. If your parent and step-parent were married when you filed the FAFSA, but not married in the tax year used on the FAFSA, you will need to combine their tax return information and incomes to report on the FAFSA. Do not include your other natural parent's information in this situation.
• Adoptive parents are considered your parents and follow the same guidelines as above.

Who doesn't count as a parent?

• Foster parents are not considered parents for financial aid purposes. If living in a foster home, a student must use their natural/adoptive parent(s) information, and cannot use the foster parent.
• Legal guardians are not considered parents for financial aid purposes. Although most students have lived with a legal guardian since an early age, this guardian is not considered a parent. The student must use the natural/adoptive parent(s) information.
• Other relatives such as grandparents. Grandma and grandpa, aunt and uncle, and so on, cannot be a considered a parent. The student must use natural/adoptive parent(s) information regardless of how long he or she has lived with the relative. (Reminder: if the relative has legally adopted the student, that relative is considered the parent).
• If you meet one of these conditions and have no contact with either natural/adoptive parent, contact the financial aid office where you are attending for additional assistance.

One more situation to note is regarding step-parent. At no time can a step-parent be used as a parent if separated or divorced from the natural/adoptive parent. Example:

Leslie and Steve married 15 years ago after Leslie's first husband, Rick, abandoned her. Rick and Leslie had a son Mike, who Steve raised as his own when he and Leslie married. However, Steve never adopted Mike.

Leslie and Steve divorced in January, and Mike chose to live with Steve, who is supporting him. He's now getting ready to file the FAFSA and wants to use Steve's information. Can he use Steve's tax information on the FAFSA?

Answer: No. Since Steve did not adopt Mike, he is no longer considered a parent due to the divorce from Mike's natural mom. Mike would have to file the FAFSA using Leslie's information.

 

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