<p>This quote was posted on the "burning question" thread. I'm sorry to be such a dummy, but would someone explain to me if it is always the case that one parent's income is used for FAFSA?</p>
<p>Here's the quote:</p>
<p>Remember the fafsa only requires information from one parent (most people have their parents with the lower income fill out the fafsa so that they can get a lower efc).</p>
<p>I agree it is confusing
there is the parent the child lives with- the one that has custody- those may be different
If your parents are separated or divorced, the custodial parent is responsible for filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The custodial parent is the parent with whom you lived the most during the past 12 months. (The twelve month period is the twelve month period ending on the FAFSA application date, not the previous calendar year.) Note that this is not necessarily the same as the parent who has legal custody. If you did not live with one parent more than the other, the parent who provided you with the most financial support during the past twelve months should fill out the FAFSA. This is probably the parent who claimed you as a dependent on their tax return. If you have not received any support from either parent during the past 12 months, use the most recent calendar year for which you received some support from a parent.</p>
<p>If parents are divorced, FAFSA will ask info only about custodial parent. Go to FAFSA website and read who would be considered custodial parent. It does not mean that college won't request info about non custodial parent on CSS profile, their own forms or non custodial parent statement. Public schools usually stay with FAFSA.
ALso remember that even private schools are obligated to give federal and state help based on FAFSA info. It is only when it comes to their own finances they may use their own EFC calculation and such.</p>