FAFSA and the Divorced Parent Situation

Paying for College
1

<p>Hello, </p>

<p>I am applying to NYU for the Fall as a transfer student. My parents saw the sticker price of NYU and told me I could apply and see how much money I get, and then we'll consider sending me there. I think we only have enough money for one year at NYU.... Seeing as NYU only requires one to fill out the FAFSA I have the following question(s.) </p>

<p>From reading CC I am aware that apparently the FAFSA only requires one to enter the information of the custodial parent. My dad makes significantly less money than my mom...would it be to my advantage to list my mom as the custodial parent? Would it be illegal to do this? I have been living at university since August, but my mail has been coming to my dad's house. Would this my dad the custodial parent? I have been however, living in an apartment since August and my name is on the lease... But, my bank statements are all sent to my dad's house despite my primary residence being the apartment....</p>

<p>Thanks for the help!!!</p>

<p>p.s. I see both of my parents whenever I want and spend the night at either house on occasion, so I'm not sure how the "legal custody rights" were defined in their divorce. The divorce was made when I was 18.</p>

2

<p>NYU is notorious for poor financial aid. They meet full need for very few and especially few transfers. While it's always best to have a low earning parent on FAFSA, it probably really doesn't matter much for NYU as they'll just give you Federal money if you qualify and loans for the rest unless you're a very top student they badly want.</p>

3

<p>Thanks although, I am sadly aware of my dismal situation. But, my concern is more about how to list a parent as the custodial parent, what defines a parent as the custodial parent, and which of my parents is my custodial parent.</p>

4

<p>Who did you list as the custodial parent for the university which you attend now? With whom did you stay more often prior to August? If you stayed equally with both parents, the custodial parent is the one who provided more of your financial support.</p>

<p>You can find the definition of custodial parent on the FAFSA itself.</p>

<p>Yes, it is a federal crime to put the wrong parent as custodial if the other meets the definitions.</p>

5

<p>I didn't use FAFSA I'm on a full-ride scholarship.</p>

<p>My financial support i.e. apartment rent and food is supplied by a joint account that serves as my college fund.</p>

<p>I am under my dad's insurance policy.</p>

<p>So would my dad then be my custodial parent?</p>

<p>I spent January through the end of June with my dad, so I guess yes he would be the custodial parent.</p>

6

<p>January through June with dad - yes, he's your custodial parent.</p>

7

<p>If you do not spend more time with one parent then another then the parent who provides the most financial support is the one you report. It does sound like it is your dad if you spent Jan to June with him.</p>

8

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<p>I just have to ask...why are you transfering?</p>