Difficulty understanding my role for FAFSA application

<p>She just turned 20 and did live with us part of 2013 (which is the year they want tax info on). Her dad did fill out his part, but she said that at the last minute they told her they needed my info because we have lived together for so long (her dad and I)and we received food stamps briefly for that year. It just doesn’t make sense to me that they would need my info…I don’t mind helping her…not at all…I just get stuck on the principles of things & want to understand why and how I come into play when her father and I aren’t married.</p>

<p>You don’t come into the picture. Your financials are not requested as you are not her parent.</p>

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<p>This makes no sense. There is no such rule. You and her dad could be simply roommates. There is no question about whether the relationship is sexual or anything like that. You aren’t related to her. </p>

<p>Your BF files taxes as what? single? does your BF claim you as a dependent or something? </p>

<p>If your BF is claiming you as a dependent, then maybe they’re checking as to whether that is correct. </p>

<p>Sorry, the school’s financial advisor told her this. Thank you so much…all this info has been immensely helpful</p>

<p>He files single since I’ve filed head of household the past couple of years, but he doesn’t claim me as a dependent nor I him</p>

<p>That’s my point exactly! We are not married, and although I love her as my own, she is not legally my child. The “last minute” thing has me suspicious…of what? I don’t know, but didn’t make sense to me</p>

<p>I’m confused. What “last thing”? what are you suspicious of?</p>

<p>do you have kids? Is that how you’re able to file HOH?</p>

<p>Were you contributing to your SO’s daughter’s support at any point in time? Was she a dependent on your tax return because you were providing more than 1/2 of her support? Even so, you do not file FAFSA. The rules are clear that the custodial parent(s) use their financials. If some of their unearned income in 2013 was due to your giving them money, they may have tor report that, but that does not involve you reporting your financials or releasing your tax forms. Even if you did claim the young woman as your dependent on your tax return, which I don’t think is allowed according to IRS rules, but that is a whole other issue. Right now we are addressing whether your financials are needed for FAFSA or PROFILE, and they are not. Who claimed someone as a dependent on the tax returns has nothing to do with who is the custodial parent filling out the form. You are not the parent or step parent. </p>

<p>The financial advisor told her last minute…after she had all her info submitted, that they needed my tax info. I have 2 young children still at home</p>

<p>At this point, I would definitely have your SO’s daughter speak to someone else in the financial aid department. This regulation is pretty straight forward as far as the FAFSA goes. </p>

<p>I would ask to talk to financial advisor. Is this for FAFSA or for PROFILE or for some school specific application? Though FAFSA does not use your info at all, any school, for its own funds can ask for pretty much what they please. If they feel that a live in SO who is supporting the student’s parent, the household, the student, etc. and is very much part of the household should have some part in the funding, they can request what they please. But you need to get the full information from that financial aid advisor. You may need to talk to a director or officer if this person is not one of the two, and find out why YOU, who are not married to the student’s father is being asked for your finanical info and tax info. </p>

<p>Please share the specific info with us when you find out directly why you are getting this request. internet boards are often black boxes without all relevant info given. There may be other issues not brought up.</p>

<p>My SO’s daughter says this is for FAFSA. If the school needs certain info for their records, I can understand, but FAFSA being federal…that’s what I’m confused about when it comes to relations and financial info. Thank you all for all of your information. I truly appreciate all of your help. I have the name and number of the person I need to talk to, and will be calling them today. It may be his daughter was confused by all the things they were telling her she needs. Which is highly possible. I know this stuff is confusing to me, and probably just as much so to her. I just don’t like the idea of throwing my personal tax info around to just anyone for anything if I don’t have to. I will keep you posted…</p>

<p>Are you saying the COLLEGE financial aid advisor said they needed your information? </p>

<p>Your daughter needs to explain that you are not married, have never been married, don’t intend to get married,mand this is NOT your bio mom. </p>

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FAFSA for 2014-2015 or 2015-2016?</p>

<p>Thumper, OP mentioned earlier it was the college financial aid administrator. </p>

<p>Sounds to me like this might have something to do with automatic 0 EFC rule or simplified formula?
Maybe the school she is applying to is in another state, where common law marriage is automatic after a set number of years?
Maybe with mentioning of family qualifying for food stamps last year the issue of parent income came up and therefore the question of op and bf being married and op’s income?</p>

<p>Definitely ask the person about this and clarify that you are not married.</p>