My mother got remarried when I was in the seventh grade. He does not live with us and my mom files her paperwork (Taxes…etc.) separately, do we have to include him on the FAFSA/ CSS Profile? My mother says we wont, but I am scared that they’ll be able to see whether or not she is married.
Thank you
It looks like they are separated. If they file separately then it would seem that’s OK.
While you may not have to put your step father’s income/assets on the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, your biological father must fill out a non-custodial profile in order for you to be considered for aid at schools that use the CSS profile and the non-custodial profile.
However, if your mom is receiving any kind of alimony or spousal support, those monies must be reported on the FAFSA/CSS profile. If your mother and stepfather have a child together and your step dad is paying child support for that child, those monies must be entered on the FAFSA/CSS profile. Your mother must also report any child support that she receives from your bio dad on both the FAFSA and CSS profile
To be clear, are you saying they are separated, expecting a divorce? If they are then you only use your mother for FAFSA. If they are not then both have to be included even if they file as Married filing separately. If they live together and are married then definitely you have to include his information and income and assets.
Just to add one more thing… Sybbie said, “your biological father must fill out a non-custodial profile in order for you to be considered for aid at schools that use the CSS profile and the non-custodial profile.” Not every school that uses the CSS profile requires a non-custodial parent profile. This is an important point.
There are two forms most schools use: the FAFSA and the CSS profile. Everyone uses the FAFSA and that form asks about your household– and it sounds like your bio dad wouldn’t be included in there and your stepdad wouldn’t be included if your mom and he are separated permanently (not just because he’s working in another state, for example). The most generous schools almost all use the CSS profile. They often require a non-custodial parent form. If that is required, you would also have to provide information on your bio dad’s household. That would include your bio dad and anyone who is living permanently/ married to him.