<p>Hello,
I am a junior and my parents are divorced. I live with my Mom and my Dad no longer lives in the country and is remarried. This last year my mom did not have to file taxes because her income was too low. Does this will mean that my EFC will be almost zero? My Dad pays child support if that will factor into it. Also, is there any chance that they will consider my Dads income even though he is overseas?</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>I think they do. I have a friend whose dad is also divorced and living overseas. She had to fill out income information for him and even convert all the foreign figures into US dollars. She did sign a Noncustodial Form, though. I'm not sure whether or not this form allowed the dad's finacial situation to be disregarded. But definitely sure you have to fill out financial info, just not sure if they do consider it.</p>
<p>Your mother should always file her taxes even if she has a low income because she may actually receive tax credits and get a refund. In the end it will just make things easier in the process. </p>
<p>Because your mother did not file does not automatically mean that your EFC will be zero. Support payments made by your father is considered income as far as financial aid is concerned. </p>
<p>Your father will have to file his financial aid information as a non custodial parent and his income maybe even his wife's income (to the point where it shows that he may be benefitting from the marriage) will be factored into determining your EFC.</p>
<p>It does not matter if he lives out of the country, his income is still going to be considered in your EFC because the school beleives that parents have the first responsibility in paying for their child's education. </p>
<p>Your financial aid will be based on what the school believes they can afford to pay not what your parents want to pay. I really hope that your parents can sit down work out the numbers before you file because in the end they will stick you between a rock and a hard place if they don't. Teh school will not make up the gap because your father is unwilling to pay or is out of the country.</p>
<p>Sybbie is absolutely right in her post. I just want to add that there are schools that use FAFSA only that may not want your father's financial statement. Those school, however, do not tend to give even close to 100% of need.</p>
<p>Wow, I have a situation similar to this one... I also have a mother who doesn't file taxes because of a low income... I've always wondered how to apply for financial aid without tax forms to available for submission.</p>