<p>The link to the FSA Handbook posted above is the definitive information to show your step-mom. I am a financial aid officer, and this is what we use to guide us in understanding the federal regulations. There is no way around the step-parent’s income and assets being included in the EFC calculation.</p>
<p>I really have no idea how FAFSA works but my sister in law’s ex husband (the father of her three children) did not have to be included in any of her FAFSA info. It was a complete scam in my book as the kids then got tons of financial aid while the birth father took them on all kinds of fancy vacations and trips abroad during their breaks. I think the whole thing needs retooled when it comes to blended and step-families. I don’t know how, but I do know that we are full pay and they live like kings.</p>
<p>Modadunn, if those kids got “tons” of financial aid, it was because their schools chose not to look beyond the FAFSA data in granting institutional aid (nobody gets “tons” of federal aid). Your quibble is with those colleges, which are free to seek or ignore whatever financial information they choose when giving away their own money. As you may know, quite a few schools require financial info from both parents, whether via Profile or their own forms. If your sister-in-law directed her kids to FAFSA-only schools, and those schools gave her kids great aid, she was a smart cookie.</p>
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<p>This is because the FAFSA only looks at the information of the custodial parent. Since he is an ex-husband and not living in the household, his income is not included on the FAFSA.</p>
<p>And then there are the Welfare Queens who live like Royalty…</p>
<p>I am sure there are people who live very well off the government teat, but when it comes to financial aid. there is usually a good reason.</p>
<p>I do have friends who found a niche in the system where the did a lot better than most people. One was quite old when he had his kids, and when dxed with a stage 4 cancer, he took out full PLUS for both of his girls who went to private LACs and he died a couple of years after they graduated Got about $400K free money that way. Mazel tov to him.</p>
<p>Another divorced a surgeon and worked the agreements so the kids were close to or at zero EFC with her as the custoidal parent and both kids went to state schools on a lot of need based aid. .</p>
<p>Both did perfectly legal things, and took risks in what they did, The older dad could have lived ten years and had to pay off most of the loans, The divorcee had to trust that the ex did not renege on his part in the plan.</p>
<p>OP, please don’t forget to tell your stepmother that if her dd who is technically in her household is in college, you will be able to write on your FAFSA that there are 2 students in college-- and that would cut your FAFSA EFC in half. So even if there’s a bump up because of her income, there will also be a decrease from the additional college student. That might help reassure her that she won’t be on the hook for the funds. Also, you need to look through the FAFSA booklet (AVG-26) to see if you can count some or all of your stepsisters who do not live with you in the family household. A large family size would also help lower your EFC.</p>
<p>You should just call the colleges and ask them.</p>
<p>lmkh, If the student were to call anyone, it would be FAFSA. The college does not determine the FAFSA rules. If there are questions about other financial aid forms that do pertain the college, then it would make sense to call the college.</p>
<p>FAFSA doesn’t make the rules either. They just gather info & process an EFC. Congress makes the rules, and there is a handbook published annually that financial aid offices use to process aid. I am a financial aid director, and I can assure you that the stepmother’s information is required.</p>
<p>kelsmom, no one said FAFSA makes the rules. They do, however, have a phone number to answer questions and they’re also the ones who answer the questions for the financial aid officers. We have clearly assured the student that the stepmother’s information is required but there may be other questions, including about which stepsisters are in the household, etc. While I’m sure financial aid officers would give the student proper information about any part of her financial aid application, unfortunately, when families call most schools, they don’t speak to a financial aid officer unless they push. That’s why I suggested that, if the student has a question about the FAFSA, the people at FAFSA are quite helpful. I’ve found it much easier to get a quick answer out of them. And, in cases of a more complicated issue, I have found them to be more up-to-date than some of the colleges’ financial aid officers.</p>
<p>If an FAO calls FAFSA for advice, he/she needs a redirect! 
The FAFSA phone line is a call center, and they can be helpful for students/parents asking about completing the FAFSA form. “Strange” questions are better directed to the school … and not to a call center responder at the school, either. Unusual situations need to be discussed with an actual aid officer, and students/parents should insist on speaking directly to an FAO if they feel the question merits a discussion.</p>
<p>kelsmom, I agree-- although I don’t think there’s anything unusual about the student’s questions; they seem like clear questions about filling out the FAFSA. </p>
<p>And now, for a well-deserved note of appreciation to you: Many years ago, I worked as a work-study student at a financial aid office. The FAO was <em>fantastic</em> and I often think of her when reading your posts. I have had mixed results with my kids’ schools-- having to track down and send them dear colleague letters and having them commit a repeated mistake which is costing me thousands this semester alone. I don’t think you realize how good you are! You are a very knowledgeable FAO and a wonderful help to all of us here on cc. Thank you!</p>
<p>It sounds like the stepmom is supporting the household her daughters live in. Perhaps if the dad and stepmom file their 2012 taxes as ‘Married, filing separately,’ each with their own residence expenses listed, it will be more palatable to her. If two wage earners are each supporting the household their children live-in separately, I think I can see her point.</p>
<p>For financial aid purposes, expenses are irrelevant. While dad & stepmom are free to file as Married/Separately, both incomes (and all assets) still must be reported.</p>
<p>kelsmom - I do not agree with you. I have found the FASFA telephone counselors very helpful and non-judgemental. Full disclosure is made on your application. You can ask “what if” questions without worrying. As a matter of fact, I suggest that the OP’s step-mom call this line, preferably in the presence of the OP and his dad to get answers.</p>
<p>Not sure what you don’t agree with, abudhabi-mama … my suggestion to call the aid officer rather than the help line, or my specific advice. If it’s the specific advice, I am curious as to what it is you feel is incorrect.</p>
<p>“Married filing jointly” or “Married filing separately” makes no difference whatsoever. The key word is “married”; the bio and step parent incomes must be included, as repeatedly explained by others and the links.</p>
<p>The FAFSA call center people to be surprisingly knowledgeable IMO. I had an odd situation and the agent knew all the nuances and provided a comprehensive answer.</p>
<p>Additional comment…the amounts entered on the FAFSA are a “freeze frame” on the day it’s filed. Pay monthly bills, mortgage, property tax, etc. early to reduce bank account balances reported on the FAFSA, then file. (I print out an online bank statement to show balances as of that date as proof, if ever audited) Ideally, file before payday which will bump the balances back up.</p>
<p>I have a similar question. My grandsons parents never lived together nor married. The biological mother has full custody, bio dad has since married another person and is obligated to pay child support until age 18. Mom is indigent on welfare with 2 additional kids that she also gets child support for. Is our grandchild going to have to include his bio dads income even though he has no custody and has no obligation to pay after age 18? If so that will probably ruin any chance he has to get financial assistance. Mom claims him on tax returns.</p>
<p>Tenacious5, for FAFSA purposes, your grandson will only need his mother’s information since she is the parent with whom he lives with the most. Almost all schools require the FAFSA to be filed to get consideration for financial aid. However, if your grandson is also applying to schools that require additonal information, particularly non custodial parent info and/or require the PROFILE, his father’s info will also be needed unless he can get a non custodial parent waiver. This is something that the high school counselor can provide. It will have to be completed and submitted to each school that requires anything other than FAFSA that asks for NCP info. How each school will react to the request is totally up to the school itself. That he is paying child support at all even if it stops at age 18 may mean that some schools will refuse to give the waiver, but this is something that ohas to be determined on an indivdual basis.</p>
<p>Working in the financial aid industry for almost 15 years. ATX, I can tell you without a doubt. What your step-mother and step-sister have done is considered fraud. Just because she does not “contribute” financially does not mean that both hers and your dad’s financial information is not required. If they were not married then she would not need to report it. However, when two people get married they assume the responsibility. Her information is absolutely needed on your FAFSA. Without it a good financial aid office will not complete your FAFSA as they will self select if for verification and then have conflicting information that must be resolved before your can be awarded.</p>