Hi,
My parents are separated (They live in different houses and different countries) and, in fact, I don’t keep up with my dad a lot. My mom told me that I should put married down on my apps, but I’m not sure. They aren’t officially separated, no documentation or anything was done. But I don’t know. I want to respect her decisions and put down separated because that’s true but not legally, but I’m not sure. What’s better?
Do your parents live in separate homes because of their jobs? Or because the marriage is failing?
If it’s the latter then you need to put down separated.
Does your mom realize that if you put down married, then BOTH parents incomes will need to be put on FAFSA???
As for your dad…are you applying to any schools that require CSS Profile and will want your dad’s income info? Will your dad provide that?
Will your dad help pay for college?
Your parents do not need to be legally separated for them to be treated as separated for financial aid purposes. You live with your mom. Her financial information is what will be needed for the FAFSA.
@mom2collegekids They are separated because of a failing marriage.
My dad is unemployed, so he doesn’t have income. Therefore, he won’t pay for college either.
Well, then…put down separated and only include mom’s income.
That said…you may need to talk to your mom. Your dad lives in another country. It’s possible that she wants to put down married on FAFSA, because she’s been claiming your dad as a tax deduction and filing as joint-married. If that’s what the issue is, then that’s likely why she wants to put down married on FAFSA. His living in another country would have kept this all sort of hidden.
@kelsmom if this is the case, what do you say?
If dad has no income I don’t think putting married will hurt.
Hi,
Would this mean because they are separated that I’d be 2 people in my household? Or 3?
You and your mom = 2