To keep this brief, I’ll be applying to colleges this summer and want to know if the following is possible…
My parents are divorced. My dad is in California, currently retired, earning a 31K ANNUAL INCOME. I live with my mom and step-dad on the east coast. My mom is a doctor, and my step-dad is a low-paid car mechanic. Now, I’ve always heard that the FAFSA and any financial aid depend solely on the family’s household income…
BUT, I am personally on my DAD’s tax return, meaning I am TECHNICALLY supported by my divorced father who makes almost pennies. Would that mean that I could qualify for lots of need-based financial aid, since it’s TECHNICALLY for me as a student who needs it, and as seen, I TECHNICALLY come from a “poor” family? Or, is me being on my dad’s tax return meaning technically nothing? Does the financial aid only qualify based on household income? Could someone explain this? Thanks :))
No. You have to use your mom for FAFSA purposes since you live with her. That is the rule.
You being on your dad’s taxes means nothing.
And it gets worse. If you apply to colleges that require the CSS/Profile forms, you’ll get to include the incomes of everyone!
Gather as much information as you can, mother/stepfather income, father (stepmother?) income, a rough idea of assets. If you ask on here, some will be able to tell you what kind of aid to expect. You might be better off looking for merit scholarships rather than need based financial aid.
Being listed as a dependent on your dad’s tax return does not necessarily mean that you are being supported by your father, either “technically” or in any other way.
It’s already been said…the parent (and spouse) you put on your FAFSA would be the oarent with whom you reside the majority of the time in the year prior to your FAFSA filing date. If you want o use your dad, you must live with him the majority of the time…the year prior to your FAFSA filing date.
Since you live with your mom and stepdad, and you are a HS rising senior, I can’t imagine you want to move to CA to live with your dad. Right?
So…you need to use your mom and step dad incime and assets on the FAFSA.
Is your mom saying she will not pay for you to go to college?