Hello all,
I apologize if this question has been on the forum before…did a search and didn’t see anything quite like my situation. Ok, so here’s the deal. I have 18 yr old triplets and have been their custodial parent since my first husband and I divorced in 2002. All 3 have been accepted to different colleges. Their bio dad is not very involved in their lives. Husband #2 – the kids’ stepdad – and I were married for 11 years. He filed for divorce in September 2015 and moved out the same day. We have a 10 yr-old son together.
When filling out the FAFSA, I didn’t know what income to report or what tax information to provide. I called FAFAS three separate times and they all said that only MY income should be included b/c their stepdad and I are separated/on way to divorce. But when I called my son’s college, the financial aid rep told me that I would have to include my soon-to-be ex’s income and income tax return for 2015, PLUS their bio dad’s child support. (Child support isn’t considered income on tax returns so I don’t get that…) She said that stepdad’s income will be used to determine aid eligibility, even though we’ve been separated for almost 8 months.
He makes well over $400K (owns a car dealership) so my kids will get NOTHING if his income is included. They won’t even be eligible for a loan. I foolishly signed a prenup, so I will come out of the marriage with nothing as well.
This seems like an impossible situation. My son is getting some scholarship money but my daughters are not. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thank you so much!
Yes, child support that you receive for any of your children is required to be reported on FAFSA (item 94.c.), even though it is not subject to income tax.
What filing status did you and husband #2 use to file your 2015 taxes?
Your child,support will need to be included on the FAFSA, as well any spousal support you receive.
Your soon to be former husband does NOT get included on the FAFSA if you were separated at the time of filing, and it sounds like that was the case. Bio dad does not get included either.
BUT if any of the schools require the CSS Profile, the bio dad’s information might be required via the non-custodial parent profile.
You would put your income on the FAFSA. If you filed jointly, you would still only put your income and assets on the FAFSA.
You will likely be asked for documentation of the separation which could include documentation of your separate residences…mortgages or leases. So be prepared to document this separation.
Thank you! We are filing jointly. And yes, we were separated long before I filled out the fafsa form. I don’t understand why the school’s financial aid rep told me that stepdad’s income will be considered and that I must send in the income tax return. My ex has also deferred his income tax until September or October. My only income source has been child support and alimony thus far. I don’t think any of the colleges require the CSS.
Will you be filing your own tax return? If not, and your ex isn’t filing until October…that could cause some issues.
It’s not like you need his income, you don’t. But schools are going to expect YOUR incime to be reported…and your taxes filed. When will that happen?
Until your taxes are filed (you, not yoir former husband) and your return linked to the IRS Data Retrieval Tool…your students’ financial aid awards are all estimates.
It’s April 26. You need to figure out with the colleges exactly what they are expecting from you. Quickly.