You will probably be looking at CSS also for applications, so get the information right. Are adults helping you?
OK thank you for all you help. My mom is helping me fill it out and we will work on the correction and also working ont the CSS form.
May i ask another question - if I don’t qualify for need based aid, will the colleges look at FAFSA and CSS for any other kind of financial aid?
Also, if I am applying ED - can I submit the CSS just for the ED school and then submit the other ones later, or do you submit it all at the same time? There’s a $16 charge per school and since I’m still finalizing my other schools, I thought maybe i can just finish my ED one.
It depends on school policies. Some schools require FA forms for consideration for merit aid.
Profile (and FAFSA) can be sent to different school at different times.
Why are your parents separated? If they are a married couple…intending to stay married? Or are they planning a divorce and that is why they are separated?
Please answer…because the wa you complete the fafsa will be different…depending on the answer.
For schools requiring the Profile…it’s likely you will be reporting both parent incomes one way or another.
Either
1.if they are married, and intending to stay married…but happen to live apart…then BOTH would be reported on th Profile (and the FAFSA too)
OR
2.if they are separate with the intention of divorcing…than the parent with whom you resided the most will be your custodial parent for the Profile…and the other parent will complete the non-custodial parent Profile.
Th custodial parent will also be required to list any spousal or child support they receive from the other parent…on both the FAFSA (if the parents are separating to divorce) and Profile.
I think we mean “legally separated.”
You don’t have to be legally separated in order to count as separated on FAFSA. There are about 10 states that don’t even recognize legal separation.
And you don’t have to be intending to divorce. Some people never divorce because of religious reasons but live separate lives and have separate finances. It is a little complicated because one parent (and one home) is in California which is a community property state, but let them figure it out what their status is.
They are separated and may be divorcing. I asked my mom and she said they filed married in their taxes. My dad has some assets and my mom has barely any. I live with her and visit my dad. I’m also trying to figure out if I can still qualify for in state tuition for UC. It’s really complicated!
You file the FAFSA with your mon’s Income and assets. She must include any child support and alimony.
Her primary residence is the house in MA
Since your parents filed jointly, your mother must separate out her info from your dad’s.
If your mom has part ownership in the California house then she must out that down as an asset
She does not have to put down the money in the retirement account (401k/403b) However she must put down any contributions she makes to the account
If she has a regular bank account she is using to save for her retirement, then that is an asset
I will let the California people talk about your eligibility for in-state at UC
Thank you! This is so helpful.