<p>The common app gives you the option to include a step parent. Should I? Will my chances for financial aid be affected by having a step parent? Will I seem more needy for aid if I don't include my step dad? My mom did my brother's UT Austin app for him and she said she didn't even include our actual dad because she wanted to make it seem like she was on her own and that we were more needy for aid. </p>