<p>What documentation, if any, would be required to prove separation for financial aid purposes?
If there is no such thing as a "legal separation" in our state, what would suffice as evidence? If the non-resident spouse is staying with family and will not establish a separate address, how would we go about proving we were actually separated? Other than possibly a magazine subscription or bank statement, there really isn't any mail to use as proof since there will be no utilities, etc., in my husband's name.
I am honestly not trying to find a loophole, but worried that if this should happen, I wouldn't be able to prove it to anyone's satisfaction should we be chosen for an audit. </p>
<p>You’re wise to be concerned since 1/3 of all FAFSA’s are selected for verification each year. If I were in your shoes, I would pay an attorney to draw up separation papers. If you’re unwilling to do that, your spouse should definitely change addresses with the employer…at least the W-2 will reflect a separate residence. Would it be possible for the relative to draw up a lease agreement…it’s not uncommon for rooms to be rented with all utilities included.</p>
<p>We require a copies of recent utility bills with separate addresses, and we will also accept copies of drivers’ licenses with separate addresses (front & back, since the back has address changes in our state). Other schools may require different documentation - a call to the school is wise.</p>
<p>Thank you both for the responses. Unfortunately, my husband is retired and therefore has no W-2. The driver’s license is an option I hadn’t considered - thanks. </p>
<p>Kelsmom - I’m a little confused so pardon me, but do the schools perform the actual audit or is it a governmental agency? I didn’t realize individual schools required evidence…I’ll need to contact his to see what would work for them if that’s the case…</p>
<p>Have you filed for divorce? If so, that might help. If you haven’t filed for divorce, then this may look questionable since you’re still living in the same home.</p>
<p>No - not filed and not sure we’re going to - hence the separation.
The only way I would indicate separated on the forms is if we truly were separated…my husband may well be going to live with his daughter/grandson in another state - but will have no utility bills, etc., in his name, and no real way to prove we are separated. I didn’t imply (or mean to imply) we would still be living in the same house!</p>
<p>No - not filed and not sure we’re going to - hence the separation.</p>
<p>I think this is going to look a little odd to colleges. </p>
<p>Forgive me, to some colleges, this is just going to look like a married couple who are having some issues and aren’t sleeping together, but joint money is still be used to support the household and such. To use just one person’s income, as if that one income is solely supporting the household seems rather disingenuous to me. At a minimum, it would seem that some portion of your H’s income would have to be included somewhere on FA apps as money being used to support the household.</p>
<p>M2CK - I can see your point, but my husband is retired, and I am essentially supporting the household on my income alone. He has no income other than social security, which is why he’s thinking of living with his daughter instead of renting/buying a place of his own.</p>
<p>As far the “not sure we’re going to” statement, I thought that a trial separation is a pretty common way for all parties involved to see if this is the route they want to go…at least in my experience it is - especially when there are kids involved.</p>
<p>If separation alone isn’t valid, then why is that an option on the FAFSA?</p>
<p>do the schools perform the actual audit or is it a governmental agency?</p>
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<p>Schools are audited by both outside auditors who specialize in financial aid & by federal auditors/program reviewers. Federal regulations must be followed, as well as any internal policies established by the school’s financial aid office. Failure to maintain proper documentation can result in fines (and too many violations can jeopardize a school’s participation in federal aid programs).</p>