I’m filling out the css, and on the household portion it asks for dependents in the household. For my FAFSA in household size, I included my mother’s boyfriend’s children as she pays for a large portion of their care, and the FAFSA didn’t state she had to have legal guardianship over them. However, on the css the wording, using dependents, makes me wonder, if my mother doesn’t claim them on her taxes and she has no legal rights or guardianship, can I put them on my css? I’m worried without them my financial aid won’t be even close to enough.
Does your mother’s boyfriend work? Does he claim his kids on his taxes? Do you know how much he earns? Does he contribute to the household? Help pay rent, utilities, etc?
I don’t think you should have included them on your FAFSA or CSS.
He does but I’m unsure of how much he earns, and basically none goes towards me. He does claim them on his taxes. My mother files as head of household, and pays the majority of the bills/food, except when she’s running low on money. I do not include him in my financial aid as a) it gives no option for so, and b) my mother and him are not married, and he has no guardianship of me. He will not be contributing to my college.
Again, the wording of the FAFSA was very confusing. It didn’t say anything about them being dependents, only that they are “the number of people (not your children or spouse) who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you, and will continue to receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019.” which applies to them. My EFC is already oddly high with them included.
However for the CSS it specifically says dependents, so I’m thinking not for that?
It’s a little frustrating how difficult these applications for financial aid are for difficult living situations and low-income students.
I’m not positive you should have included them on the FAFSA either. What exactly is your mom paying for? She can’t really count half of her rent or utilities because she would be paying ALL of that for just the two of you.
Who pays these other kids’ health insurance?
For all you know, their father earns enough to pay for them… @kelsmom?
You say your EFC is “oddly high”? Having additional people in the household doesn’t really impact EFC as much as having multiple kids in college at the same time.
The financial information on that FAFSA should be your mom’s with any child support or spousal support she receives as well.
The FAFSA EFC is largely based on income…
What do you think is “oddly high”.
I guess I can remove them off my FAFSA, but the wording of it truly sounds like they should be on it, as it says people that are not your children or spouse.
I guess I’m more concerned about my EFC going up, but if you say that it doesn’t effect it, it’s fine. Neither of them plan to go to college, so that doesn’t effect me.
I’m confused what you mean by “She can’t really count half of her rent or utilities because she would be paying ALL of that for just the two of you.” As far as I’m informed she pays all of the bills for ALL of us? His children included?
They are insured through their father’s work plan. Again, I have no clue how much he makes, but I know my mother pays for all of their clothes and food.
Also, one of them is not a minor if that helps.
My EFC is 1900, which I have no idea how we could ever pay, considering we struggle just to afford groceries.
My mother does not receive any child support, and has no spouse.
My EFC would jump to 4,881 without the inclusion of them. That’s absolutely insane.
You have to be honest on your financial aid documents.
If the father is paying for the health insurance, then that’s counted in the support they receive.
A $4880 EFC isn’t particularly high…it is just more than your family can afford to pay. Most colleges cost at least twice that and that’s only tuition. You mention the Profile. Profile schools will have a cost of attendance of 10 times or more of $4800.
Also, unless your college meets full need for all students, that EFC should be viewed as the minimum you will pay for college.
Are you a very high stats kid…high GPA, high SAT or ACT score?
How old is the kid who is no longer a minor?
@kelsmom can this kid include these kids on her FAFSA?
I’m aware I have to be honest, but they really do receive half their support from my mother.
I’m aware of my financial situation. I am currently applying to top schools BECAUSE of their ability to pay full need. My stats are high, and I’m considered a competitive applicant. At my safe schools I will be receiving full or near-full rides.
She is 18 and still is in the household, however is no longer a student.
I was told by a counselor to include them on my fafsa if that helps.
I’m not going to include them on my CSS, but I need to go ahead and submit it.
You should not be listing your mother’s boyfriend’s children on the FAFSA.
It is highly unlikely your mother is paying more than half the support of her boyfriend’s kids (he works and pays for their health insurance.) and they are probably splitting the household expenses.
Do they have a mom? Does mom provide any support for the children. You need to correct your FAFSA (especially since initial verification will come from the IRS).
The colleges are going to see it as the money that she spends supporting them, she will be expected to use to pay for you to attend college (as they are not her children or step children and their primary care should be provided by their parents).
Also, be prepared to provide significant documentation of all the expenses your mom pays…because your FAFSA number in the household, and your Profile number in the household and your mom’s tax return are not all going to be the same. The colleges will want to know why.
I would wager that you will be selected for verification. These kids are not on your mom’s tax return as household members and someone is going to want an explanation.
Just be prepared.
In your other thread you said your mom earns $50k and your dad earns $70k. I think both hose incomes will be considered by CSS Profile schools. I don’t know if their NPCs are accurate for divorced parents.
Yes…the non-custodial parent will likely have to complete the non-custodial parent Profile.
Does that income of your mom’s include any spousal or child support paid in 2017?
I’ll correct my fafsa as soon as I can, as they already accepted it once, and I had to add colleges, so I cant right now.
My mother does not receive any child support and does not have a spouse as I have previously stated. I am completing my non-custodial parent portion currently as he cannot.
No money of my mother’s boyfriend goes towards insurance, it is work-sponsored. He only pays one bill to my knowledge so his children can claim residency for school.
The mother is a druggie, and is not allowed to see her children.
I’m well aware that that money SHOULD be going to me attending college instead of his children, but life isn’t all that.
Spousal support comes from her former spouse…not the one she has now.
Boyfriend’s health insurance through his job still counts as supporting his children.
Where is your bio dad? If your school asks for the non-custodial profile, your dad will need to complete the non-custodial profile in order for you to get financial aid.
Should your non-custodial parent fill out his portion and not you?
he doesn’t understand how to do so, so I am doing it in his place using his information
How can the father claim the children on his taxes if he doesn’t pay more than 50% of their support?