I am newly divorced and filling out fafsa as custodial parent. I have four kids.
One is about to graduate college and will be living at home, probably more with me than his father. He doesn’t yet have a job, so the upcoming year is unknown. Last year, I paid more of his college expenses than his father did.
Two is the sophomore in college. He definitely received more than half of his support from me and will continue to do so.
Three and four legally split custody 50/50 with dad and me, although they are with me more often. While he does provide child support, I am the one who pays medical bills and all activities etc.
Can I claim them in the household size? Not sure what to do.
if they are with you more, they are in your household. I’d count the one graduating too if you expect him to be in your household. If the schools don’t like it, they will ask you to verify and then you can explain.
FAFSA is based on residential time, not % paid or tax deductions. If you have the kids 51% of the nights they are yours to claim. However for FAFSA really only the kids in school or about to be in school matter. If the older one graduates they really don’t care if he’s living at home on your dime or not. You can count him in the household but not as a kid in college.
^^yes! All the yada, yada, yadas doesn’t matter. If they live with you one day more than the dad then you claim them. I doubt you can claim a graduated student though.
https://fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1617/help/pnumInHousehold.htm
^household size for FAFSA
Household size is important because it increases income deduction for the parent for FAFSA EFC calculation.