My mom just got remarried to my new step dad back in November 2019 is being really annoying by refusing to put his tax information on fafsa. She filed as single on her 2018 tax return so will get in trouble if we just include her on my fafsa? It’s not a money thing where she wants me to get the most out of fafsa , she just doesn’t feel comfortable putting his information on my documents.
If your mom was married on the date you filed your FAFSA, her husband’s financials are required on the form regardless of how she filed her taxes in 2018.
If you get financial aid when knowingly using false info, it is considered fraud. Look “fraud” up in a dictionary. It’s a crime.
The fafsa needs to be accurately and honestly completed. Period.
If she isn’t comfortable including his information on the FAFSA, then all three of you need to have a conversation. Maybe together you will decide that it is OK to be full-pay in order to protect his privacy. Maybe he will be happy to produce the numbers so that you can be considered for aid. You won’t know until you do ask.
Is your mother afraid to ask her new husband about this?
This is unfortunately something that often happens with second marriages involving stepchildren going to college. The married couple have some tacit agreements that financial remain separate. But if any offspring are applying for financial aid, especially having lived , with the couple , if a parent is therefore custodial parent, both of their financials is required on the FAFSA if married on the day FAFSA is filed.
I’m not sure there is anything else to say.
You must provide honest and accurate information on the FAFSA if you apply for need based financial aid.
Your options are:
- Include both your mom and step mom on the FAFSA form as they are married, and this is required (if they were married in the day you submitted your FAFSA)
- Don’t apply for need based aid.
I do have to ask. You posted this question on June 26. The 2020-2021 FAFSA became available on October 1 2019. Are you just completing this form now (which is very on the late side for most colleges in terms of meeting their deadlines for need based aid)? Or do you only want the Direct Loan?
Or were you selected for verification and the school is now asking for this step dad info?
Some schools extended the FAFSA deadline for aid beyond the typical spring one because of Covid 19 so this could be the 1st time filing.
Some students wait or only file when they know definitely where they’re going to school.
Shame though because filing on November 18 or before would have eliminated this problem.