Divorce: Going from Independent Student to Dependent?

[Scribbulus]

<p>A friend asked me this question and I don't know the answer, but told her I figured someone here would know.</p>

<p>They've got a kid going to college, (will be a junior this fall), who is under 24, but was considered an independent student for FAFSA as he was married. However he is getting divorced. They have no children. He's already filed and received his FA for this fall, (need and merit based). So with no children, and no longer married, when he files the FAFSA for 13/14 next January, does he go back to being a dependent student? He was married when they filed for the 12/13 year, so aid was awarded on that basis. Does he change that? and if so, how? He's gotten 2 different answers from his FA office, and I'm guessing both were from student workers. I told the mom he needed to speak to an officer, but seems it's really hard to schedule a time. </p>

<p>Any advice or ideas? If it matters, there was an infant son, but he passed a few months after he was born. Sad story all around.</p>

[sybbie719]

<p>From: The Finanical aid application and verification guide</p>

<p><a href=“http://ifap.ed.gov/fsahandbook/attachments/1213AVG.pdf[/url]”>http://ifap.ed.gov/fsahandbook/attachments/1213AVG.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>page AVG-22</p>

<p>

A student is considered married if s/he is separated or planning ti divorce or if s/he has a relationship that meets the criteria for common law marriage in his/her state. A student who was independent only because s/he was married becomes dependent for the next award year if s/he divorces and cannot answer yes to any of the dependency questions

</p>

[FinAidPro]

<p>And let me add this little tidbit: IN 2012-2013, for the first time ever, FA administrators may require a student to update their marital status during the award year if they believe that doing so will result in an EFC that more realistically represents their ability to contribute to their education.</p>

<p>So, although the odds that your child’s school will do this, they have the authority to require him to update his 12-13 FAFSA to “single”, which would mean that your information as parents would become relevant. </p>

<p>Unlikely, but possible.</p>

[kelsmom]

<p>Here is information regarding this change, for those who are interested: [FinAid</a> | Professional Judgment | Student Remarries after Application Date](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid).</p>