FAFSA: Divorced but filed joint tax return

Paying for College
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<p>I'm an independent student and the only financial support I'm currently receiving is from my boyfriend and a small "alimony" check every month from my ex-husband totaling around $490. We filed our last return jointly but the only income was entirely my ex-husbands. Because of this, my adjusted income on my FAFSA (after linking to the IRS) is the $25,440 my ex-husband earned and NOT the whopping $0 I managed to rake in. When I initially filled out my FAFSA, I left the financial information as it was on our return, and my EFC came to be 07860 with estimated Pell Grant being around 12,500. Well, My EFC last year (and my situation has not changed since) was zero. I decided to make a correction to my FAFSA but determined that I shouldn't put "$0" for adjusted income since that's the amount on the tax form (despite being entirely my ex's earnings that I see a fraction of). However, I decided to add the alimony he sends me as well as the bills my boyfriend pays on my behalf in the block concerning "Additional Monies Received." Lo and behold, my EFC now is 08223 and my estimated Pell is 9,500.</p>

<p>My apologies for such a drawn out explanation, but HOW do I get my FAFSA to reflect my ACTUAL financial situation? What am I doing wrong and how do I correct it?</p>

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<p>Is the Pell Grant for independent students MORE money than for dependent (for financial aid) students? I thought the maximum Pell was $5500 or so for the year…not $12,500.</p>

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<p>If this is money you actually RECEIVE then it DOES accurately reflect your actual financial situation.</p>

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<p>estimated Pell Grant being around 12,500.</p>

<p>???</p>

<p>And I don’t think independent students get more Pell than dependent…which is 5500.</p>

<p>Maybe she means in Student loans and Pell or something like that???</p>

<p>my EFC now is 08223 and my estimated Pell is 9,500.</p>

<p>If your EFC is that high, then you’d get ZERO pell.</p>

<p>I think you’re confusing student loans with Pell grants.</p>

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<p>Yes, you’re right. I mistakenly said Pell Grant but I’m actually referring to my Stafford Loan estimate.</p>

<p>Here are my issues:

  1. If the adjusted income amount is not reflective of any money I personally have a claim to, how would I state that? Should I list his at all? Yes, we filed jointly, but the income is not mine nor do I see any of it besides the monthly stipend I receive.
  2. When listing the additional money I receive, should I exclude the amount I receive from my ex-husband? Considering the money I receive from him is included in his income, wouldn’t I technically be counting it twice?</p>
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<p>Why did you file with your ex husband? Maybe you should amend your last tax return and file on your own. Then your EFC will be 0.</p>