<p>I have one more semester left to finish my degree and it has been a long haul. I live with my children's father and he has made it abundantly clear that we are not married, we have separate finances. He pays the mortgage that is in his name. He claims both the kids and I pay all the bills, we split the food. He does not claim me. I was in an accident last year and made a lot less money, sparking the interest in finishing my degree and not needing to be dependent on working with my hands. How do I put this on the FAFSA or disclose this properly to the financial aid office?</p>
<p>I’m guessing that you would otherwise qualify as Independent (over age 24, etc.). At that point, all they ask you for is your information. Since you are not married, you don’t have to put down your Significant Other’s info. Since your kids are claimed on your SO’s tax form, you don’t discuss them either.</p>
<p>So, whatever you put on your Federal Income Tax return is what goes on the FAFSA. You don’t mention the kids. You don’t mention the SO (not your Spouse). They don’t ask, and they don’t care. From FAFSA’s point of view, they are more like Roommates than Family.</p>
<p>Since the accident affected last year’s income, you don’t really need to discuss it. The income is lower, and that is the income you report. If you are continuing to make low income, and this year will be even lower, then you might have a special circumstance to report.</p>
<p>PLEASE put the kids on your FAFSA if you provide at least 50% of their support (it sounds like you do). It doesn’t matter who claims them on your taxes - that is completely irrelevant from a financial aid standpoint. If you are not married (and not living in a common law marriage state where you would be considered married), you do NOT include your live-in’s info. By including the kids in your household size, your EFC will be lower than if you have just yourself in the household. </p>
<p>You say you made less last year. Is that reflected in your 2008 income, or did the accident happen part way through the year? Will your income be lower in 2009 than it was in 2008? If not, you won’t want to ask for special consideration, because you’ll be better off just letting the 2008 income represent your situation.</p>
<p>This might help you determine what goes on the FAFSA and how it affects your EFC:
<a href=“http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/111408EFCFormulaGuide0910.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/111408EFCFormulaGuide0910.pdf</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov/docs/bw_English_fafsa_2009-2010.pdf[/url]”>http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov/docs/bw_English_fafsa_2009-2010.pdf</a></p>
<p>Also, don’t forget to check your state financial aid site and look into any worker retraining/disability programs that might help pay for your education. Good luck!</p>
<p>He’s paying the mortgage for a house that is in his name and you pay the bills? Why did you agree to this?</p>