<p>I'm filling out the CSS/Profile right now and had a question. My parents have been separated since 2001. They began the divorce process about a year ago, have been to court a few times. An agreement has finally been reached, with papers drawn up by the lawyer, but an absolute decree has not yet been made. Do they count as divorced or separated? Will the choice of separated vs. divorced affect how much financial aid I get from the CSS/profile?</p>
<p>if they have two seperate living arrangements and file seperate tax forms- then I think it would be the same as if they are divorced-</p>
<p>PROFILE does ask for both parents financial statements- in either case- I am fairly sure-</p>
<p>You will need to provide financial info for both parents if your schools require the Profile. The parent with whom you reside will be your custodial parent (in most cases) and will do the Profile. The other parent will do a non-custodial form. </p>
<p>What you need to check is whether Profile treats separated parents in the same way as divorced ones. The FAFSA does...not sure about the Profile. </p>
<p>If the Profile doesn't treat separated parents the same as divorced...both parents will report on one form.</p>
<p>In any event...as Emerald says...both parents report for the Profile.</p>