Deceased parent and FAFSA

Paying for College
1

I’m having a little trouble on the FAFSA form. So my dad passed away on January 1st of this year and my mom filed taxes and they have both of their names. It says they filed jointly but I still have to put that my mom is widowed right? Also do I still include my dad in the total household number? He still counts as an exemption so I’m kinda confused. Also I’ve read that you should only include the surviving parent’s income…but my dad was receiving social security benefits that were taxable, do I include that?

Sorry if I’m confusing I’m just really confused.

2

Do not include him in household number. It is confusing but you are using taxes from 2015 and other information as it applied today - today’s number in household, today’s assets. If his SS benefits were included in 2015, they’ll be on the taxes. If you and your mom now receive surviver’s benefits, I don’t think they are reported (use the ? button next to each question to see what you need to include).

3

No you don’t include your dad in the household number. You will indicate he is no longer alive on the FAFSA, and will list your mom as a widow.

I believe for FAFSA purposes, you put the information as of the date of filing…so only your mom’s income and assets would be listed on the FAFSA.

Hoping others verify the accuracy of this.

I am sorry for your loss.

4

Sorry to hear about your dad.
In the parent information section, you only put your mom info.
You can find details here. Remember the article was written for 2015 FAFSA. Your application is for 2016 FAFSA.

http://college.usatoday.com/2015/01/22/fafsa-application-tips-for-students-with-a-deceased-parent/

https://www.nerdwallet.com/nerdscholar/fafsa/guide/deceased

5

Sorry to hear about your dad.

You mentioned that your mom has already filed taxes and filed jointly.

@kelsmom can you chime in here? TIA

I don’t think you’re supposed to use your dad’s income on FAFSA.

If you’re requied to include his income, then probably you’re going to have to ask for Professional Judgement at each school to have your dad’s income removed…to lower your EFC

But, I think his income would not be used on FAFSA

6

Still confused and getting mixed opinions. Any one else?

7

@kelsmom She would know the correct answer.

8

It appears that everyone has told you the same thing, and the information is correct. On the FAFSA you will back out your father’s information from the tax return, and only report your mother’s. Just go over the return line by line and determine which income belonged to which parent. You won’t be able to use IRS retrieval.

9

Thanks it’s just that I went to my school’s financial aid office and got one person telling me I shouldn’t include his income, and another saying I should. I guess I just won’t include his income.

10

As of the date of filing your fafsa, your dad was no longer alive. You do NOT include his income on the FAFSA.

11

I will add in that you should not list dad’s income on the FAFSA. However, if you are selected for verification your school will see that the tax return shows both parents’ incomes. They may require proof that your father has passed away, so I would have the death certificate handy in case you need to submit it to your school. This will allow your school to not count your father’s income if they question it.