<p>My mother doesn’t file income tax (no it’s not because she’s too lazy to, it’s because she doesn’t have to, she gets Social Security). However, my grandmother files, and she claims my sister and me, considering she takes on most of the financial burden. So, who’s financial information do I use?</p>
<p>You report your mother. Grandparents are never reported on FAFSA unless they have officially adopted the child.</p>
<p>However, unless I’m mistaken, you will need to report any money paid on your behalf by grandma on that FAFSA…so if she is paying for rent, utilities, clothing, etc…this is listed under “money paid on your behalf by others” or something like that.</p>
<p>Thank you, I appreciate the help.</p>
<p>Parents do not have the same requirement as students have when it comes to reporting this sort of thing. If the dependent student’s mom lives with grandma & grandma pays for groceries, clothes, etc the parent does not assign a value to this. If grandma gives the student money (for tuition, etc) then it’s reported by the student as other money, but if grandma buys the family food, lets them drive her car, etc there is no value assigned. Remember, the feds don’t care who claims the kids on the taxes. If grandma is able to claim them, it means they probably live in her home. That is fine … no value needs to be put on that.</p>