<p>Son is filling out his college apps for next year & we're just trying to figure out the section in which "father" is listed -- son has a step-father who has supported him in every way since he's been 9 years old (although no formal adoption or guardianship proceeding has occurred). He also has a bio-dad with whom he's had nothing more than occasional email contact since he's been 7 years old (although bio dad has contributed probably $4,000 over the past 10 years in lumps of money he has instructed go to 'college fund.').</p>
<p>Should son just list step-dad as parent on these apps? Or, is that not being forthright w/the schools? There seems to be only room for listing of 2 parents and we just want to do things correctly (although not unecessarily complicate things).</p>
<p>Btw, bio dad has little to no income and step-dad has upper-middle class income.</p>
<p>I'd imagine we're not the first to go through w/this....?</p>
<p>I'm definitely not an expert on this so I recommend consulting a professional. My common sense says that unless his stepdad has formally adopted him and the biological father has given up his parental rights, you must state his biological father under the heading of "father". Whether he is in his life or not, he is still legally his father. My common sense opinion on the financial aid would be that the school would take into consideration both your household income (assuming you and your new husband have declared your son as a dependent) and the financial income of his biological father. Wouldn't declaring your son's step father as his real father be an outright lie and seen as fraud?</p>
<p>Thanks for the thoughts, nysmile.</p>
<p>In one school's application, although there is only room for one person's name under 'father' --- there is a choice, after that, so you can check that this person is: 1) father, 2) step-father or 3) guardian. If that school offers choice, I was thinking that other schools might be similarly liberal in their acceptance of who constituted 'father.' But, perhaps not...</p>
<p>We had a similar situation. My husband has raised S since he was 4 years old and totally supported all educational endeavors. Biological father has paid regular support and had consistent visitation, but had absolutely no interest in school activities. One of the applications did ask specifically for "biological" father, so we made the decision to list things that way on every college and scholarship application.(FAFSA and Profile are clear on how to complete regarding this)</p>
<p>Something happened I had never considered. S won a very nice scholarship and since we are in a small, rural area, this was well publicized in the local paper. Unfortunately they took their info from the ap (provided by sponsor) rather than contacting us or the school. Biological father pranced around all proud of his "trophy" S. My H was very hurt by all this and the entire situation, which should have been very joyous and exciting, became fraught with anxiety and stress.</p>
<p>the instructions on the common app are as follows:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Please list both parents below, even if one or more is deceased or no longer has legal responsibilities toward you. Many colleges collect this information for demographic purposes even if you are an adult or an emancipated minor. </p>
<p>If you are a minor with a legal guardian (an individual or government entity), then please list that information below as well. If you wish, you may list step-parents and/or other adults with whom you reside, or who otherwise care for you, in the Additional Information section or on an attached sheet.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/DownloadForms.aspx%5B/url%5D">https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/DownloadForms.aspx</a>
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It sounds like you should list the biological parents in the parent section of the common ap and then list the stepparent(s) in the additional information section.</p>
<p>Thanks, sryrstress, for sharing your experience. Sorry that your husband had to go through an unpleasant situation w/the scholarship. I wouldn't have thought of that possible aspect. Hope he was able to put it behind him and enjoy son's accomplishment.</p>
<p>sybbie719--glad to know the common app is clear (I started reviewing it today...didn't get to that part, yet). Although, not looking forward to having to fill all that out re: bio dad. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>