<p>Hi, I'm new to this board and I have a question regarding financial aid.
With the new policy of several colleges for free tution if one's parents' income is under $60,000 per year, I thought I could actually heavily conisder those private colleges. My mom's income is around $40,000 per year, which means I techinically quailify. However, my stepdad's income is around $150,000, but they file their income tax form independently. So my question is do I still qualify for those financial aid if I only repord my mom's income? Can i do that? or could I just report my mom and my biological father's income which is extremely low since he retired already. </p>
<p>You need to include your step father's income on all financial aid forms, FAFSA or Profile, regardless of his willingness or ability to help you pay for college. The theory is that his income contributes to your mother's household.</p>
<p>For FAFSA you have to report your Mom and your stepdad. For css/profile you have to report your Mom and Stepdad and your biological Dad and his wife (if he has one).</p>
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[quote] A stepparent is treated in the same manner as a biological parent if the stepparent is married, as of the date of application, to the biological parent whose information will be reported on the FAFSA **or if the stepparent has legally adopted you. **There are no exceptions. Prenuptial agreements do not exempt the stepparent from providing required data on the FAFSA.