I think I put the wrong parent on my FAFSA...

Paying for College
1

<p>A while back I started to fill out my FAFSA like any other undergrad student, and I hit a wall when I had to decide which parent qualified to be on my FAFSA. After some research, I found that you had to put the parent that you last lived with within 12 months, but I hadn't lived with either of my parents for almost two years (they're divorced and I moved out at 18, but I'm still an independent). I worked, paid rent, and went to school (my mom paid for school and my dad gave me money when he could). That being said, I was still confused about who to put so I asked someone from FAFSA. And, after explaining my situation to them, they told me I should just choose. So I chose the parent who made the least amount of money. My dad.</p>

<p>Not thinking anything of it (since I was told it was okay), I went on to sign my MPN and go through the entrance counseling for my two loans that I was awarded. As I was exploring the websites, I noticed a hidden section all about parents on the FAFSA. I looked. And now I'm FREAKED OUT.</p>

<p>I read a section that said that the parent that should go on my FAFSA is the one who supports me most financially (my mom), but I was told I could choose! So now I'm worried that I'm gonna be kicked outta college, denied any financial aid, AND my credit will be ruined, ect. I'm literally so scared. I didn't mean to do anything wrong!</p>

<p>I want to fix it but it's just two weeks from disbursement. How do I go about talking to someone about this? Someone who can help me and won't just tell me I'm SOL or something?</p>

<p>Am I freaking out for nothing??? All the tax info is correct! Nothing on my FAFSA is a lie. I just might have put the wrong parents because I was TOLD to choose. But I have no way of proving that conversation took place so if I DO get in trouble, I can't defend myself.</p>

<p>Someone give me some advice please!</p>

2

<p>Did you spend any nights at all at either parents home in the 12 months previous to completing the FAFSA? Thanksgiving at your dad’s house? Anything?</p>

3

<p>Yes. I would occasionally stay the night at my mom’s to watch my siblings while she was out of town. And I go see my dad on holidays.</p>

4

<p>Though now I don’t stay at either home except for holidays since I moved for college.</p>

5

<p>""“moved out at 18, but I’m still an independent).”""</p>

<p>You are still a DEPENDENT.</p>

<p>Yes, you should have put down mom’s info. </p>

<p>The person who told you to choose either forgot to ask you which parent supports you the most or somehow thought that since you have long moved out, that neither gives you any money.</p>

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<p>So how do I go about fixing my FAFSA? Should I talk to a financial aid advisor at my school?</p>

7

<p>Oh. I meant to put “dependent” on my original post. Sorry for the confusion!</p>