<p>Well, we are quickly approaching some deadlines for things like financial aid and all, and me and my son (hyakku) both realized that we aren't quite sure how to file for aid. He understands that I obviously will be on his FA/Fafsa forms, but we don't know if we should use his stepfather (who we now live with), or his biological father. We've lived together for about 6-7 years, but his father also pays child support so I'm sure thats factored in. His dad will be helping for school, so I'm leaning more towards his father. At the same time, and I don't want this to come off wrong, but my husband is currently unemployed and works with family. Would that help MORE in the process, I don't want to seem greedy, but I'm sure you all know how staggering these prices can be. I know I'll get help here so thanks in advance.</p>
<p>For the FAFSA you should be using the income /assets of the custodial parent; that would be you and your spouse.</p>
<p>IF your school requires the CSS profile, they will want the income/assets of you, and both your current and ex husbands (and stepmom if applicable).</p>
<p>Well what occurs if we weren't married. Is that CSS thing still applicable?</p>
<p>I would suggest you post this question on the financial aid section of this forum. </p>
<p>Sybbie is correct. For the FAFSA you MUST (no choice) use the income and assets for the custodial parent (you) and spouse (your husband) if any. </p>
<p>For the Profile, you will be using EVERYONE's income and assets...yours and spouses (as the custodial parent and spouse), father (since he pays child support he IS the father whether you were ever married or not), and the father's spouse (as non-custodial parent), if any.</p>
<p>You really can't make this decision yourself. The guidelines for whose information is required on the specific forms is very clear. </p>
<p>As I recall, your son is looking at some schools that require both the FAFSA and Profile. You will need to complete the FAFSA for all schools using the tax information from you and your spouse. The Profile will be done by you and the non-custodial parent (father) will complete a non-custodial parent form.</p>
<p>It probably goes without saying that if you are not married to your partner, his income or lack of it would not be factored in. If he were working, his income and assets would not "count" against your son, but if you are supporting him and you are not married, that won't be a factor either.</p>
<p>Mombot...from what I interpreted, the OP was saying that she was never married to the bio father who IS paying child support. The child has a stepfather, and I understood this to mean that the mother and stepfather were married. If that is the case, my post above applies. If not, could the OP please clarify...</p>
<p>I understood her to be referring to her partner as the student's stepfather. but he is not legally a stepfather unless he is married to mom....but you raise another possibility.....if there was a husband after the kid's bio father but before the current partner and they were divorced, then the second spouse is no longer the stepfather--that legal relationship ends when the marriage to the child's parent ends.</p>