FAFSA for separated/divorced

Paying for College
1

<p>Our daughter is a junior. We are separated but not (yet) divorced. My ex lives separately but still pays the mortgage and deposits some money into our (still) joint checking account.</p>

<p>AFAIK, for FAFSA purposes I will only need to submit my own financial information as a custodial parent. This seems to be in my advantage because I make a lot less than my ex, in fact very little.</p>

<p>Q1: Does the mortgage payments and other support from my ex count as my income for FAFSA purposes?</p>

<p>Q2: If it comes to verification, how do I prove that we are separated? Do we need to get the formal divorce papers to make it "official'? What else could they ask for?</p>

2

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<p>I believe there is a field on the FAFSA that asks for other money paid on your behalf. The mortgage payments being made on the house (and utilities or anything else) would be included in that area.</p>

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<p>Separate addresses on rental/lease agreement. Divorce papers filed. Anything that would verify that you are separated would work.</p>

3

<p>This seems to be in my advantage because I make a lot less than my ex, in fact very little.</p>

<p>This is only a small advantage. Most FAFSA-only schools give very little aid. So, you might end up with a lowish EFC, but it may still mean that you’ll get little money.</p>

<p>If your D will be applying to the schools that meet need, they will often require CSS Profile and the financial info of your ex.</p>

<p>Since your divorce isn’t final, try to include some kind of req’t that your ex contribute towards your child(ren)'s college education. </p>

<p>Will your ex help pay for your D’s education? If not, that could limit where she should apply for college.</p>

4

<p>I just wanted to chime in (as a divorced parent). I agree with M2K - make sure you address the payment of college in your divorce decree - if you don’t do it now you will probably be unsuccessful later. Your state may have this covered in the regulations - but either way do yourself (and your children) a favor and please address this prior to divorce.</p>