My parents have been divorced since about 2007. I legally (like, on my drivers license and school records) live with my mom, but I switch to my dad’s house every other Monday. So, one week I am with my dad, and the next I’m with my mom. My mom makes a lot less money than my dad, and because I live with her legally, I know I will get more financial aid (which is an amazing thing!)
However, I am on my dad’s taxes, listed as a dependent. My sister is my mom’s. He is a military veteran, so there are questions on applications that say “Are you a dependent of a military veteran?” I have to say yes, because I am. (Also, just as a side question, why do they even care?)
I am just wondering if colleges will think I am lying about my home life by saying I live with my single mother (which, I do.)
For financial aid purposes for schools that use FAFSA you can use your mother’s financial information as long as you live with her even a day or two more than your dad. It does not matter who has custody for tax purposes. That can be to your advantage. If schools use the PROFILE then both parents data is used.
Colleges and universities see this kind of thing all the time. Don’t worry about it too much.
You need to remember that the meaning of the word “dependent” depends on the context, so that you use it correctly in different situations:
You are the dependent of a military veteran because your dad is a veteran.
You are your dad’s tax dependent because that is how your parents decided to handle things in the divorce.
If you live with your mother more than with your dad in the 12 months before you file the FAFSA, you will be your mother’s dependent for the FAFSA. Whether or not she has primary physical custody and the addresses of everything match is not what matters. What matters is that you spend at least one more day/night with her than with your dad. So sit down with both of them, and count the days on the calendar.
Colleges and universities that use the CSS Profile (or their own forms) in addition to the FAFSA for determining financial aid, are likely to ask for the financial information from the Non-Custodial Parent (most likely your dad in your case) as well as from the Custodial Parent (most likely your mom in your case).
To get the best estimate for possible financial aid, run the Net Price Calculator at each college/university website. Living with a mom who makes a lot less than your dad doesn’t automatically mean you will receive a lot of financial aid. Most places do not guarantee to meet a student’s full need, so work with your parents to identify places that are likely to be affordable for you.
You should be fine for FAFSA. You understand that many schools will also require another set of forms including your dad’s info for financial aid consideration, right? Just making sure.
Run the Net Price Calculator on each school’s web site to see if this holds true. Most schools do NOT meet need so you may just be entitled to a student loan, regardless of which parent’s info you use.
If your Mom makes less, you will have a lower EFC. That doesn’t mean you necessarily will get more aid. It depends on the EFC level and it depends on the school and what kind of aid they give. Don’t confuse EFC with getting aid.