FAFSA - Separated?

[KTbird1]

<p>I have questions concerning FAFSA. I am a non-traditional married student. My husband and I will be filing for divorce in next few months. Can I put separated on the FAFSA when I fill it out so I can use only my own income to reflect my actual circumstance, as they will be by the time school starts in fall? I’m not sure if I need to do my taxes as married filing separately to do this, or if I can still file joint this last time. My situation is I have no work income last year for myself, only 6 months of unemployment. I wasn’t able to get any FA because of husband’s income last year even though mine was very low. So can I use only my own income, and use status as separated as we will be in process of divorce in next few months, but not by end of Jan when FAFSA needs to be filed. It seems if I enter married and then go back in later to change it will be too late for schools to now award any FA. Thoughts? Anyone had this situation before?</p>

[swimcatsmom]

<p>Are you actually separated and living apart now? If so you can put separated on FAFSA and just put your own income. If you are still living in the same home you can not.</p>

<p>

A couple doesn’t have to
be legally separated in order to be considered separated for purposes of the FAFSA. The
couple may consider themselves informally separated when one of the partners has
permanently left the household. If the partners live together, they can’t be considered informally separated.

</p>

<p>

If you are divorced, separated or widowed but filed (or will file) a joint tax return for 2009, you must give only your portion of the exemptions, income and taxes paid for the income and asset questions.

</p>

[swimcatsmom]

<p>Are you actually separated and living apart now? If so you can put separated on FAFSA and just put your own income. If you are still living in the same home you can not.</p>

<p>

A couple doesn’t have to
be legally separated in order to be considered separated for purposes of the FAFSA. The
couple may consider themselves informally separated when one of the partners has
permanently left the household. If the partners live together, they can’t be considered informally separated.

</p>

<p>

If you are divorced, separated or widowed but filed (or will file) a joint tax return for 2009, you must give only your portion of the exemptions, income and taxes paid for the income and asset questions.

</p>

<p>You cannot go back and change your marital status later.</p>

<p>

16. Marital status. You are required to provide your marital status as of the date the application is signed. Your marital status directly affects how your income and assets are treated in the EFC calculation. If your marital status changes after you sign your
    application, you cannot change this information.

</p>

[KTbird1]

<p>Hmmm. Possible I can’t put separated even if we will be in divorce proceedings long before fall. Bummer. No, we are living in same house as we own it, and until we start all this we won’t know if he is buying me out, or we are selling. So until then we are both living here. We have had separate financial accounts for over 3 years however, and I’ve considered filing separately on taxes. Thankfully I did get a merit scholarship this last year, but was hoping this year it would take into account the circumstance at time of starting school to possibly get some other help. Doesn’t sound like it.
Thanks for your input.</p>

[kelsmom]

<p>You have to put your CURRENT marital status on FAFSA at the time you sign it, and it cannot be updated at any time during the year. You have two choices: file now with your current status (intending to divorce makes you married, even if your tax filing status is married filing separately) or wait until you file for divorce to complete your FAFSA.</p>

[mom2collegekids]

<p>Can you move out and live with a friend or family member?</p>

<p>*or wait until you file for divorce to complete your FAFSA. *</p>

<p>Will you still be living together when you file?</p>