Hii! I recently got sent a form that I have to fill out for my FAFSA for 2025-2026 which said my mothers martial status on her tax form was different from what was on the FAFSA. However I filed my FAFSA the same way as 2024-2025 and I never got the form. She’s head of household and is separated from my father as he was deported years ago and we have no contact with him. Am I meant to file it differently on my FAFSA form?
“Your parent’s marital status on the FAFSA and their 2023 tax return do not match. Please complete this form to verify their marital status.”
However if it was fine for 2024-2025 why is it a problem now? The information is the exact same?
Are you saying that you indicated that your parents are married on the FAFSA, but you provided only your mom’s information? If so, the expectation is that both parents will provide information - they would have expected their filing status to be married filing jointly or married filing separately. However, it sounds like your parents are actually separated. Complete the form and include an explanation that your parents are separated. Turn that in as required. If they’re separated, your father’s information won’t be required. It doesn’t sound like there is a problem given your explanation - the school has to resolve what is considered conflicting information.
It’s possible that you indicated separated last year, so there was no issue. It’s also possible that it just wasn’t noticed.