FAFSA for divorced and re-married parents

Cosmos5
Mon, 02 Oct 2017 03:34:13 +0000

The wording of the FAFSA is confusing me. I can see that if parents are divorced and re-married, “Parent” includes the step-parent plus the custodial parent, and both of their income and assets.

HOWEVER, the questions regarding income and assets specifically state “mother”. Is “step-father” implied with these and I am to combine our income and assets in all answers, or am I to separate our information? We filed our 1040 “married-filing-jointly”, but should I pull out “mother’s income” as the FAFSA asks, or input the combined income as is on our return?

Also, for the asset questions (copied and pasted verbatim): “As of today, what is your mother’s total current balance of cash, savings, and checking accounts?”. Notice how it says “mother’s”? Do they MEAN “mother’s”, or do they mean “mother’s and step-father’s”? Will it ask later for step-dad’s stuff? or not and I should combine it now?

Thanks for any clarification!!!