<p>First of all, you will have to use the parent with whom you lived the most in the past 12 months as the parent listed on your FAFSA. It doesn’t matter who claims you on their taxes. You will be using the 12 months prior to the date on which you file the FAFSA, which is anytime after January 1 of the school year (that is, January 2009 for fall 2009). If you live with dad most during that 12 months, that’s who you use. However, NEXT year you will be able to use mom’s info if you’ve lived with her the most during the 12 months preceding the date on which you file the FAFSA for the 2010 school year.</p>
<p>Here is a link to the FAFSA forecaster, which is a real FAFSA simulator: <a href=“https://fafsa4caster.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/fotw0708/FFOTWServlet[/url]”>https://fafsa4caster.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/fotw0708/FFOTWServlet</a> All the info you need to fill out the FAFSA is on that website.</p>
<p>The additional amount you can borrow when a PLUS borrower is turned down is based on the parent info you used on the FAFSA. It’s federal aid, so you have to follow federal rules.</p>