Does Father's Income Count When Kid Lives With Mother

Paying for College
1

<p>If a student lives full time with her mother, does she still need to include her father’s income in applying for financial aid?</p>

2

<p>For FAFSA no. </p>

<p>For CSS/profile probably.</p>

<p>If mother is remarried her spouse’s income must be included.</p>

3

<p>Adding to swimscats…if the father is remarried and schools require the Profile…the father’s spouse’s income and assets will also be required at many places.</p>

<p>So…</p>

<p>FAFSA only schools - custodial parent, and if that parent is remarried also the income and assets of the custodial parent’s spouse.</p>

<p>Profile schools- EVERYONE gets counted…both parents-custodial an non-custodial (you need to check…some do not require the non-custodial parent form), and if parents are remarried, spouses income and assets also.</p>

<p>This is income AND assets…not just income.</p>

4

<p>Remember as well that some schools don’t use the Profile, but use their own forms. Many will also requrie the non-custodial information; some may not. YOu need to check each college’s websites.</p>

5

<p>Usually they have to. They also look at their respective spouses if they have remarried.</p>

6

<p>you don’t mention if your parents are divorced – if they are not divorced or legally separated, then both incomes would count no matter where the child lives. (I thought I would add this in, just in case the parents are still married but live separately)</p>

7

<p>

Not for FAFSA. From
<a href=“http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/completing_fafsa/2008_2009/ques5.html[/url]”>http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/completing_fafsa/2008_2009/ques5.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

8

<p>swimcatsmom – thanks for the clarification! That has either changed in the last few years or I wasn’t able to find the clarification when I was looking for it a few years ago. That is good to know for those households where the parents are living apart, no matter what the reason.</p>

9

<p>hsmomstef…I’m not sure the “separated” info above applies no matter what the reason. For example, if two parents are married and file joint returns…but have to residences because of jobs (e.g. husband or wife maintains a place to live in another city or state during the week)…I’m not positive this WOULD be viewed as “separated”.</p>

10

<p>That was my thought – but it seems like the info provided by FAFSA would allow that. I am sure they will close the loophole, but with today’s job market and housing market I am hearing of more and more people who are living apart for a time while a house is sold or for a temporary job. If it were me, I would file as separated. Probably not the intent – but they are the ones that make the rules.</p>

11

<p>I agree with thumper. Living apart temporarily or for a job would not constitute separated.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>I am sure there are people who will try it.</p>

12

<p>If that’s the case, when two people are married, file jointly, either for job reasons or other reasons, the EXPENSES of maintaining two households should also be considered. There could be two primary residences, which is most times not considered. I think this is becoming more commonplace.</p>