CSS NCP profile for schools that don't require it like Vanderbilt

Paying for College
6

This is how what is now termed “parent of record” is determined for FAFSA (starting with 2024-25):

  1. The parent of record is the parent who provided the greater portion of the student’s financial support during the 12 months immediately prior to filing the FAFSA.
  2. If neither parent provided support in the 12-month period in #1, the parent of record is the parent who provided the greater portion of support during the most recent year that the student received financial support from a parent.
  3. If both parents claim an equal amount of support, then the parent of record is the parent with the greater amount of income and assets (updated from “or” to “and” on the final FAFSA).

Support is the key here. It doesn’t matter with whom the student lives anymore … it’s the parent who provides more financial support. It might or might not be the parent the student lives with, and it might or might not be the one who earns more money.

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