Parent Died After Filing FAFSA

So I already submitted the 2020-21 FAFSA to the schools I applied to, but my dad passed away a few weeks after. Do I have to update the income and marital status in the FAFSA, or do I just have to contact the financial aid offices at the schools I applied to?

@kelsmom can the student just update this themselves.

I’m so sorry for your loss. I think contacting the financial aid offices is a good way to go. You will likely be asked to provide a death certificate. In addition, if your parents filed a joint return, you will need copies of your dad’s W2 forms so that his income can be subtracted from the total on your financial aid forms…and just your mom’s will remain.

Good luck to you.

I am sorry for your loss.

You should contact the schools you applied to & let them know what happened. They will have their own process for how to approach the changes needed. Making this type of change yourself on the FAFSA will probably result in selection for verification. I would prefer making the changes myself as the aid officer, which could be easier in the long run. However, one or more schools may want the student to make the updates to the FAFSA. In this case, I suggest removing school codes from the FAFSA before you submit changes for schools that said they prefer to make changes themselves.

Best to you and your family.

I don’t think these changes can be made by the student. The information was correct on the date of filing (married, filing joint, etc).

Death of a parent was one of the Change in Circumstances items on the form I completed for my daughter her first year - job loss by a parent, death, illness, separation or divorce and a few others. The school wanted to know the financial situation before the change, and then after. There were documents specific to each item, like a severance letter for loss of job, death certificate, the amount of income displaced, etc.

The student “could” make the changes, but should not. (That’s why I say it will probably prompt selection for verification.). I never want to speak for what another school might want, which is why I suggest contacting each school to find out what they want the student to do for them.

So very sorry for the loss of your beloved father.

Yes, contact the schools. Be prepared to submit copies of the death certificate as proof of his passing. Sad to say that’s often required, but I guess some have tried to claim a parent has died to avoid including info.