A question in regards to FAFSA question (45J) form.

So with most of the FAFSA form fulfilled, a question came up that I was curious about when applying for aid for my transfer to a CSU


"Enter the total amount of cash support you (and if married, your spouse) received in 2015 from a friend or relative (other than your parents, if you are a dependent student). Report the amount if it is not reported elsewhere on this application.

If someone is paying rent, utility bills, etc., for you while you attend school, include the amount of that person’s contributions, unless the person is your parent whose information is reported on this application.

Include money that you received from a parent or other person whose financial information is not reported on this form and that is not part of a legal child support agreement.

Note: This includes distributions to you (the student beneficiary) from a 529 plan that is owned by someone other than you or your parents (such as your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and non-custodial parents).

Round to the nearest dollar and do not include commas or decimal points."


-I am an independent student, however i still live with my parents. I chose not to include my parents within the FAFSA application.

-We were curious how to include the amount paid on my behalf, such as utility bills, is it based on how much “I” use or rather the entire family in general during 2015.

-I think we’re overthinking this and may have overlooked whether i should or should not include this. Paranoia runs well within our family, and this includes overlooking and overthinking, so apologies for the possible easy answer to this question.

As always, thank you for taking your time

You do not have to include any money paid for things like rent, utilities, etc. unless the bill is IN YOUR NAME. If an independent student has a cell phone bill IN HIS NAME that the parents pay,the amount paid is reported. But if you are living in someone else’s home & your name is not on the mortgage/lease or utilities, you do not report that as money paid on your behalf.

If you were to be selected for verification, had a low income, and the school wanted to know how you can afford to live, you would just provide the info they request. Some schools may choose to adjust the living expenses portion of the cost of attendance, but not all schools will do that.

Affirm, thank you for the clarification on this, mate.

Cheers!