<p>My parents are divorced and my mom and step-dad have been separated for over a year. I plan to use the IRS Data retrieval to import my mom and dad's tax returns. My mom files married but separate, will I be required to provide my stepdad's income?</p>
<p>Stepparent’s income is always required, for FAFSA and for the CSS Profile.</p>
<p>^^^
not necessarily…the mom and step are separated. </p>
<p>Your stepdad’s income will not be used if they are separated, and he’s living elsewhere.</p>
<p>You will only need your mom’s or your dad’s income for the FAFSA. Read through the info at [Home</a> - FAFSA on the Web-Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/]Home”>http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) and figure out which of them you are dependent on for FAFSA purposes. Please note that you might be dependent on a different parent for income tax purposes.</p>
<p>Missed the separation…</p>
<p>
Do you mean that your mom’s filing status was Married Filing Separately on last year tax returns? If so, you mom was telling IRS that your mom & your step-dad were still married and not legally seperated.</p>
<p>I don’t know If FAFSA would let you claiming they were informallly seperated and omitting step-dad’s income.</p>
<p>Also, if your parents are married and filed taxes separately from other spouse, you will not be able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool and will have to provide Income Tax Transcripts for your parents, if you were selected for verification.</p>
<p>A couple does NOT have to be legally separated to be separated on FAFSA. There’s no req’t that there’s been any kind of legal action taken. One spouse can move out and then the couple is separated. (BTW…I think there is at least one state that doesn’t even have legal separation…I don’t think Louisiana has it).</p>
<p>However, if the couple is “separated”, but still living in the same household, then it becomes a gray area and I don’t think the couple is then considered to be separated.</p>
<p>I am in a very difficult situation and hate having to put myself out here on a public board. My husband and I have been separated from May 2011 to present. I have filed for divorce and am doing it myself, because I can’t afford an attorney. It was a domestic violence situation, and I have a protective order in place. My daughter had been in private school for many years (2005-May 2011), but after his arrest, I had to put her in public school, because we could no longer afford it. </p>
<p>She got sick from the first day of public school (she has a compromised immune system and has hashimoto’s thyroiditis and chronic lyme for years; and she has hypoperfusion of the brain (not enough blood flow) from the lyme, which causes cognitive issues - it takes her a long time to process information, and she never finishes her SATs - I applied for accommodations last June, and just heard from them. They won’t give her accommodations since they want neuropsyche testing done with reading and writing; she had neuropsyche testing done in Jan 2012 to see if she had MS, and she failed worse than an alzheimer’s patient; thus, the brain spect which found the hypoperfusion - she does have accommodations at school however). </p>
<p>On doctor’s orders (and my own decision), I took her out of public school because of a mold allergy. She was on antibiotics and steroids from Sept 11-Feb 2012. The school would not do a “Tools for Schools” assessment, so we had no choice but to leave, as the sinusitis was so bad, she nearly had to be operated on. Her doctor said it was too toxic. </p>
<p>I had to find another school to take her, because there was not another public school in our district, and I could not go out of district. My daughter did not want to repeat the year. Three of her six teachers at public school either lost, threw out or didn’t remember her taking her mid-terms. It was a disgrace, and her gpa dropped. I called the school weekly and got no results. I sent emails as well. I wrote the supt and he bucked it to the asst supt who finally called me in July said “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing we can do about it. We did reprimand the teachers.” I was told to write to the governor or sue the school. With a sick child, and trying to do my own divorce, it was just too much (plus I am not well myself). My daughter’s CC at school said she will put a note in with her letter, because she witnessed me trying to get the grades from March-June.</p>
<p>As for our finances, my husband’s paycheck would go into a joint money market account that we bought groceries, medications, and gas with. We have no assets except the house, but the debt is higher than what it is worth in today’s market. My husband cannot make payments so we get a note on our door to call the bank weekly. They will not refinance or modify the loan, so they want to foreclose. My daughter hasn’t bought clothes in nearly three years. We go out to eat only on special occasions. The house is in both my husband’s name and mine, but the mortgage is in his name. We lease a car that he pays, and he also pays the insurance on it. He had been paying the electric, oil and telephone bills until late when his client stopped buying, so he is not getting commissions.</p>
<p>I am not working and have not worked in 24 years. We are married 28 yrs. I’ve had three cancers, and I also took care of my terminally ill parents in my home until their deaths. I couldn’t leave my husband while my parents were alive, because I had to care for them. It was a living hell being abused. </p>
<p>Since his arrest last May, he has put very little in the account for us to live on, because we have two residences and two cars (he has a rental car to get to work). He was supposed to pay the deposit on my daughter’s school tuition last May, and he did not. In August I was told my daughter could not register for classes until he paid the $2000 deposit. Once he agreed, they registered her. They really adore her, because she is a sweet kid who never gets in trouble, doesn’t drink or take drugs. I am blessed. She works so hard to succeed despite all the stress from home and her cognitive issues, chronic fatigue and horrific scalp pain (from the lyme). She never gives up. To reverse the hypoperfusion, she will need to be on IV antibiotics ($2000 a week that my insurance currently will not pay for, but are reconsidering; however, my daughter does not want to do it because of college apps and upcoming SATs - she’s trying one more time to see if she can do better; I doubt it, but I want to encourage her). She’s on oral meds, but has since stopped taking some of them due to candida and medication fatigue. I give her lots of probiotics, but those are very expensive, and right now I can’t afford them.</p>
<p>I served my husband in July 2011, and each and every time, he did not show up for court. The judge awarded me sole legal custody. I could not fill out a financial affadavit either, because my husband will not give me any financial information. He won’t fill out his form either. I have to subpoena him this next time I go to court, and then if he does not show up with the financials, the judge will have the marshalls bring him into court. We haven’t been able to do a single college visit, simply because we can’t afford it. I was hoping to get fee waivers, but I don’t know if that will be possible. I honestly feel like I’m going to crack up at this point, but I have to stay strong for my daughter. She does not have, nor has she ever had, a relationship with her father. </p>
<p>The situation has gotten worse. The night before school started, he still hadn’t paid the $2000, and so I told the school to take the last $1900 out of the account. They did, and then I paid the $100 to them from the small amount of money I have in a single account.
Our phones have been turned off three times in the past year, and the other night the power was turned off because my husband did not pay the bill. I paid half of it, because that’s all I could pay. The power company put a medical waiver on the account. I am down to my last $400, and I need to buy food, gas, medications ($600 a month co-pay on my daughter’s meds; they are very expensive). I’m waiting for someone to tow the car any minute, because he might not be making lease payments either.</p>
<p>My husband is not paying his rent from the account where his paycheck was going into so he must have some other account which of course I don’t have access to or know anything about. The bank is about ready to foreclose on the house since they keep putting notices on the door, and my husband won’t give me any information nor will the bank (I feel like we are being terrorized). The judge cannot award me alimony until the financial affadavits are completed and brought to court (which I don’t see happening unless he is subpoenaed to do so). </p>
<p>I’m a nervous wreck over all this, and I don’t know how to file the FAFSA since I am the custodial parent. I just want the divorce, but we desperately need to keep medical coverage. I will get alimony (providing he keeps his job). I might be able to subpoena his company, but he has threatened me not to (given past abuse, I am a frightened to do so). Child support stops at 18 where I live (there really isn’t any now anyway except for medical benefits, food and gas for the car). Since he is not making mortgage payments and it looks like he isn’t able to afford our utilities now (he claims he is not getting commissions; his client is simply not buying), we are really in a bind. I don’t know what the school will do since he is not able to make tuition payments for the rest of the year. My daughter’s CC wants her to apply early, and try for scholarships and fin aid. All her teachers have written their LORs and uploaded it for the common app. My daughter is working on her essays and supplements. </p>
<p>We don’t need this kind of stress right now, because my daughter is sick, I have vascular issues, and it is senior year. I don’t want the colleges to know about the DV, as they might judge her. She has nothing to do with any of this.</p>
<p>Even though we’ve lived separately since May 2011, I don’t know if he will claim us on his taxes (most likely will) but he hasn’t filed yet. Do I tell the schools I am in the process of divorce? I can tell them we’ve been separated since May 2011, but I would hate to have to go into the details. I am not working because of my health, and the long commute to school. At my age (59), it will probably be difficult to find work having been out of the workplace for 24 yrs, but I would like to try something, so I can regain my financial independence. I know it will tough, but anything will be better than staying married to an abuser. I do not want to go to social services (never have in my life, it’s just too humiliating), but given what is happening of late, I fear I may have no choice. </p>
<p>Should i email FAFSA to find out how to proceed since this is such a complicated case? Do I explain all this to colleges when applying for financial aid? It would be so dreadful to have to do so.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>meda, I’m not sure about the FAFSA, but you sure as heck do NOT have to go through this divorce alone. There ARE resources out there to help you. I work for a DV shelter and we help women through divorces all the time. Please do not feel as though you are alone. If you’d like help with the situation relating to your soon to be ex, please feel free to PM me or call 800-799-SAFE for DV resources in your area. There are people who WANT to help you and are trained to help you. You do not have to go through this alone. Please seek the resources available to you and your D. I’m begging you.</p>
<p>romanigypsyeyes, I just sent you a pm (it had to be divided into 3 parts). Let me know if you received them. Thank you for responding.</p>
<p>romanigypsyeyes, i sent 3 message, and had the 4th part (sorry for the long pm but it had me break it into parts…part 4 I tried to send but it said you needed to clear out other messages first, before you could receive this last one I tried to send).</p>
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<p>Most of the common app colleges/unis also use the NCP income…hopefully your daughter is looking at FAFSA schools? And I agree with Romanig, you need to reach out to community resources that can get help you figure out how to get through this crisis.</p>
<p>momofthreeboys, I’ve been going to support groups for DV on and off 12 yrs, however, no one can advise about FAFSA, and neither can the lawyers at the free legal help clinics, so I assume I should ask FAFSA. I know this sounds ridiculous but I’m not sure if the schools are FAFSA. She and I picked schools based on her major, and the college counselor is hoping she will get some scholarship money. I’ve been gearing towards college since middle school, and funny how since my h “sabotaged” things, I’ve become paralyzed with all this. Our therapist is wonderful, and he has just pushed her to apply to colleges saying she’ll get a scholarship don’t worry. But I AM worried. He put 3 boys through college, and he doesn’t have to worry about the financial aspects, but I do. He doesn’t know what to tell me either, because he said in his 35 yrs of practice, he’s not come across anything as bizarre as this. Perhaps a financial advisor can help, and I think I can a free consult through DV. The most important thing is getting support so we can live on a daily basis - medications, food and gas. I don’t know what we’ll do if we foreclose or if he leaves the country to go back to Europe. He is not a US citizen, and that is what deters a lot of attorneys from helping. It’s all a mess, and sadly, it is senior year, and each time I think things can’t get worse, they do.</p>
<p>Would it be a good idea to speak directly to FAFSA and just lay out my situation? I have no income and savings, and he has no savings sadly, but is still working. He just isn’t making commissions…the economy is so bad, and his client is just not buying (they laid off another 500 workers). But the company he works for just gives him a small base salary - not enough to take care of two residences and meds.</p>
<p>I am so sorry to hear about your issues. </p>
<p>I actually have a neighbor going thru a somewhat similar situation. Her H moved out (he has serious anger/depression/blaming issues), now has his paycheck deposited into an acct that ONLY he has access to, and isn’t giving her any money…she’s been a housewife for over 25 years. Since the utilities and other bills were AUTOPAY out of their joint acct and no money is there, things weren’t getting paid. </p>
<p>He even had her cell phone service shut off, while keeping his, of course. He also had his college D’s cell phone cut off because (of course) she’s angry at her dad and that’s his “payback” for his D “taking sides”. Luckily, she has a very large merit scholarship and a student loan, so they don’t have to depend on dad to pay her college costs. </p>
<p>He claims that he needs all his money to pay for his new household expenses, dating, gym membership, etc… He makes well over 100k per year. Her friends and family are buying food for her, keeping the utilites on, etc. Their home will likely get foreclosed and she’ll have to live with a sister. I don’t know much about divorce, but I sure hope that he’ll have to “back pay” her for not providing any support during the separation/divorce process. I don’t expect any kind of payback for the help I’ve given, but some others who may have given more may have done so with it being a “loan”. Either way, she should have recourse to get “back pay” since he left her “high and dry” while he is still earning a large amount of money. </p>
<p>There should be laws in place to prevent this kind of financial control that can happen when the sole breadwinner takes community property money (his earnings) and hoards it all for himself. </p>
<p>Since you have filed for divorce, then you file FAFSA as separated (or divorced if completed by that time). Only your income will get used on FAFSA no matter how your H files taxes.</p>
<p>It sounds like you’ll end up with a 0 EFC. At most schools, that only means that your D will get a 5550 Pell grant and a 5500 student loan.</p>
<p>Your d needs to protect herself by applying to some local state schools as safeties, but also some schools that are “test optional” and give good aid without NCP info. </p>
<p>The therapist is wrong to say that your D “will get a scholarship”. No one can depend on that unless she’s applying AND gets accepted to the few schools that give lots of aid. </p>
<p>And, since merit scholarships are often based on SAT scores, it doesn’t sound like she’d get one of those.</p>
<p>As you said, the therapist’s kids didn’t have to worry about money, so he may be guilty of believing the myth that low income kids get free rides to college. If that were true, our local CCs and state schools would NOT be filled with low income kids commuting and working to pay their college costs…</p>
<p>Meda, I did get your PMs. My inbox is full and I’m on my phone so it’s hard to do anything with messages. I’ll respond later tonight when I get home.</p>
<p>Is your D a senior? If so, you need to look at the list she has for applications. You should check and see which ones are colleges requiring Profile and which colleges require only FAFSA. Then look at the Profile colleges and see which of those do NOT require the non-custodial information. THEN, go to the website for those colleges and make sure those colleges don’t have a separate college specific form. For colleges that require the Non-custodial form you could certainly try to get a waiver, but this is not easy nor a sure bet. Tweak the list accordingly. </p>
<p>Make sure your D has FAFSA only colleges, make sure she has colleges that don’t require your ex’s financial information and try to have some that will be financial safeties because they guarantee merit dollars for GPA and test scores…I’m somewhat repeating what Mom2 said, but your “college search” might be very different today than what is was a year ago.</p>
<p>
Do you think she might have similar health issues while away at college?</p>
<p>CTTC, yes, that is what I’m so worried about. The otolaryngologist said so many of his college patients had to leave schools because of mold allergies. A friend of mine’s son said there was a bad problem at Georgetown (that was one of my d’s dream schools), so we will scratch that off. Since she has lyme disease that has spread to the brain (hypoperfusion), I don’t want her to be in high tic areas (which sadly is much of the US and now abroad with over 356 types of tics worldwide). I also want her close enough to get home in an emergency, so we are narrowing our search based more on medical (and of course financial) reasons. </p>
<p>The fact that she has been able to get through school all these years with so much domestic strife, is a miracle. Poor thing has her own medical issues and she keeps everything to herself. There are days when i just want to chuck it all and have the two of us go open a food stand! Everyone needs to eat right? And I’m a good cook. This whole process is so daunting.</p>
<p>momofthreeboys, thank you for that info, and actually, when I discussed the fafsa schools with my d, she said they were all fafsa so that’s good news at least!</p>
<p>^^Yes that is good news - or at least one less thing you need to worry about!</p>