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<p>I meant that at schools that use CSS Profile (most private schools) and meet 100% of need, they will count the income and assets of both parents anyway.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Very true…but it also sounds like the dad is trying to be shady and reduce the amount that he earns (in addition to trying to claim that he’s got custody.)</p>
<p>The dad’s doing this to get the kid to qualify for Pell, which he’d get at any school.</p>
<p>I like the “calmly explain.” thanks. I really don’t expect his dad to contibute to son’s college and that is why I think he wants to use his income–so he won’t have to.</p>
<p>He’s applying to a mix, only one profile school, and will probably attend an in-state public institution.</p>
<p>Thanks, that’s a good point, but the only profile school he applied to is one that he doesn’t want to go to. I’ll keep it in mind if that changes.</p>
<p>*I like the “calmly explain.” thanks. I really don’t expect his dad to contibute to son’s college and that is why I think he wants to use his income–so he won’t have to. *</p>
<p>Well, I don’t know how you’re comfortable with proceeding with this, but why not have your son outright ask his dad how much he’ll contribute. If your “ex” says none (or little) then your son is going to realize what’s going on. </p>
<p>If your son is applying to any out-of-state (OOS) publics, he won’t get any aid from them (beyond the minimal fed aid that he might qualify for.) With the exception of UVa and UNC, out-of-state publics don’t give aid to OOS students.</p>
<p>Did he get any scholarships from any in-state schools?</p>
<p>I used to check fishing licenses for a living. After about a day of training and a couple of weeks experience, I quickly learned to spot the “fishy” fishing licenses. There were just little signals that let me know I needed to look further into that person. </p>
<p>Believe me, the people that handle financial aid forms day in and day out know and SEE all the little “Scams” out there. The person who is going to get hurt here is your son. Count on any school requiring the tax forms from the custodial parent – every year. Count on them asking direct questions about anything that sets their whiskers humming. Count on them having a policy to boot students out of the program if they lie. </p>
<p>I believe that the last bit on the FAFSA says something like “the numbers given are accurate and truthful” and you /student “sign” by typing in your PIN numbers. Does he really want to start his college career as a liar? See this site on financial aid fraud:</p>
<p>[FinAid</a> | FinAid for Educators and FAAs | FAA Guide to Detecting Fraud on Financial Aid Applications](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org/educators/fraud.phtml]FinAid”>http://www.finaid.org/educators/fraud.phtml)</p>
<p>and here’s a kid facing 15 years in prison for fraud:</p>
<p>[TheDartmouth.com</a> | Student pleads guilty to financial aid fraud](<a href=“http://thedartmouth.com/2009/04/06/news/usman]TheDartmouth.com”>http://thedartmouth.com/2009/04/06/news/usman)</p>
<p>It’s one thing to shrewdly plan your dollars to fill out the forms to your advantage – its a whole nuther kettle of fish to lie. IT’s not worth it.</p>
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<p>The FAFSA rules are VERY clear. The custodial parent’s income is put on the FAFSA…period. The custodial parent is the one with whom the student lives the most…typically greater than 51% of the time.</p>
<p>If the parents SHARE custody…then the FAFSA rules are ALSO clear. The parent with the HIGHER income is used. Those are the rules.</p>
<p>If the student used the mom’s address and that is also the address of record for the student’s high school, it would be very hard to make case that this student’s CUSTODIAL parent lived elsewhere.</p>
<p>Keep in mind, also…it is FRAUD to not follow those FAFSA rules and game the system. If this fraud was to be discovered, the student risks not only losing financial aid but also could lose the admission to the school(s).</p>
<p>Sorry…if it’s not honest, dont’ do it.</p>
<p>If the student used the mom’s address and that is also the address of record for the student’s high school, it would be very hard to make case that this student’s CUSTODIAL parent lived elsewhere.</p>
<p>Exactly! I said the same thing on this mom’s other thread.</p>
<p>The high school records, the applications, etc, have all shown the mom’s address. The kid’s SAT/ACT probably show the mom’s address. The mom has probably been the one claiming the child on her taxes all these years since she said that he’s never paid any child support.</p>
<p>He is waiting to hear from in-state schools. As to asking his dad, I’m not comfortable putting him any more in the middle than he already is. Thanks though.</p>
<p>No, he doesn’t want to be a liar. His dad is giving him bad information. He’s stuck in the middle. Thanks for the websites.</p>
<p>I am the OP and I couldn’t agree more. I appreciate the support.</p>