<p>I have a slightly unusual family situation. My father and mother live on separate continents and have filed their taxes as separate households for the past 6 years, yet are legally married. I live with my mother, and my father more or less provides no financial support. While he <em>is</em> employed in the other country, he's not strictly there just for employment reasons.</p>
<p>I e-mailed Princeton, and their financial aid office told me to list my parents as "separated". What is the CSS policy? Does it have to be legally separated or married? All the instructions I've found are vague. </p>
<p>Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>If they are still legally married you must put that</p>
<p>They do not have to be legally separated but if they still consider themselves as married and intend to continue the relationship then they should file as married.</p>
<p>^^^^ As Erin’s Dad says, intent is going to be the key to determining the status. If your father plans to continue to live in the other country and your mother has no plan or intent to join him there (or alternatively he has no plan to come back and live with your mother), then they are separated even though there may be no legal agreement. </p>
<p>It appears from your cryptic statement “While he <em>is</em> employed in the other country, he’s not strictly there just for employment reasons.” that your parents are separated. If that is not correct, then you need to consider their status as married.</p>
<p>Again, you have to remember that Department of Education and IRS regulations are not necessarily the same, and schools can choose to interpret your situation differently. So be careful, some schools may insist on a formal agreement of separation.</p>