CSS/Profile special circumstances - list parent student loan debt?

Paying for College
1

Filling this out for D1 and the explanation/special circumstances section says, “Use this space to explain any unusual expenses such as high medical or dental expenses, educational and other debts, child care, elder care, or special circumstances such as loss of employment.” So they will take into consideration that I, as the parent, still have student loan debt or do they mean for the student only?

Also, our income fluctuates throughout the year because of seasonal employment and unemployment amounts (when not employed). Is this something that should be discussed here as well, or is that not considered “unusual” or “special circumstances”?

2

You can put anything you think is pertinent in that special section, but that doesn’t mean the school will consider it…at all.

I don’t think your parent college loan debt will be a factor at all when the schools compute need based aid, but list it…you never know,

In terms of incime, the schools are looking at your annual income. They really don’t care if you earn some or all of it at certain times…it’s the total that matters.

3

I asked too soon. I see they ask specifically about parent student loan debt in the supplemental question section.