<p>So, my father does not pay child support, but "spousal" support, rather. I have looked at several threads here and they suggest to report this on financial aid documents like fafsa and css but there is no space for it. should i put it under child support? i want to provide as much info as i can that might get me more money for college, i really need it.</p>
<p>Spousal support would ordinarily be taxable income to the person receiving it. Double check this with your mother - who pays taxes on the money, your father or your mother? If he pays the taxes, then you can treat it as child support. If she pays the taxes then it’s “alimony” and should be treated on both FAFSA and CSS as part of her taxable (but not earned) income.</p>
<p>oh! that was already included in my fathers tax forms. so i don’t need to put it separately. this helps a lot. thanks!</p>
<p>If your mother doesn’t pay tax on the spousal support, then you would include it on the financial aid forms as “child support.”</p>
<p>Or as other untaxed income …</p>
<p>Please clarify what you mean by “that was already included in my father’s tax forms.”</p>
<p>Regardless of whether or not your dad “included” the payments in some way on his own tax returns, they are still income to your mother and have to be declared as such on FAFSA and CSS. The only questions is whether you list the payments as child support (untaxed income) or alimony (taxed income).</p>