<p>My parents finally deceided to stop the bickering and fighting and separate. How does this affect my financial aid? </p>
<p>I will be moving. How does this affect my college applications?</p>
<p>It really doesn't affect you if affects them. Your applications are already submitted. You haven't and they haven't filed the FAFSA so it will be handled when you and they file. Do you have PIN NUMBERS for both you and your folks? I am sorry you are going through this but it doesn't really make your life so hard as it does theirs from the money point of view.</p>
<p>Welcome to CC and you will find good information and friends here. Come back often.</p>
<p>For FAFSA purposes, your custodial parent is the parent you've lived with most during the past 12 months. If your parents are separated on the day you file the FAFSA, check the bos for Divorced/Separated regarding parent's marital status. Doesn't have to be a court sanctioned separation or a separation with a legal agreement.</p>
<p>The non-custodial parent's income won't be included in the FAFSA. Profile is another matter.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>If your parents are separated on the day you file the FAFSA, check the bos for Divorced/Separated regarding parent's marital status. Doesn't have to be a court sanctioned separation or a separation with a legal agreement.>></p> </blockquote>
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<p>I would check this out to see if it is true. If it is, what would prevent many families from "separating" when they file the FAFSA and then "reuniting" a month or two later. Of course this would be fraud...but...It is true that if your parents are divorced that the non-custodial parent income is not included on the FAFSA.</p>
<p>dont knowif it matters for FAFSA butit matters for IRS- FAFSA might well figure if they can afford two households :(</p>
<p>Well-- you answered your own question. It would be fraudulent to separate solely for the purpose of excluding one parent's income from the calculations, only to reunite shortly thereafter.</p>
<p>There's no difference between separated and divorced in the eyes of FAFSA:</p>
<p>"If your parents are single, divorced, separated, or widowed, you must answer the questions for one parent only and ignore the references on the FAFSA to "mother" or "father".</p>
<p>If your parents are divorced, separated, or widowed but filed (or will file) a joint tax return for 2005, you must give only one parent's portion of the exemptions, income, and taxes paid for the income and asset questions."</p>
<p>"If your parents have divorced or separated, answer only the questions about the parent that you lived with most during the last 12 months. If you did not live with one parent more than the other, answer only the questions about the parent who provided most of your financial support during the last 12 months."</p>
<p>what about profile?</p>
<p>The Profile will likely want financial info from both parents. You will file a "Non-cutodial Parent Statement".</p>
<p>This is often where the FAFSA gives a big advantage to students from estranged homes.</p>