Switching parents on FAFSA

Paying for College
1

<p>I know it's been asked before, but my situation is different than the ones I've read.</p>

<p>I've spent the majority of my time between my dad's and my mom's evenly. My mom had run into problems beginning July 2012, with not being able to pay her mortgage and regular bills, so my dad has been supporting me financially. </p>

<p>My parents have told me that I should put my father on the 2013-2014 FAFSA. My problem is that I've used my mom for the past two years (2010-2011 and 2011-2012). My mom and step-dad combined made about $70,000 (mom made $60,000) both years. My actual father is a self-employed used-cars salesman/dealer who only had a net income of $25,000 this past year (about $40,000 gross).</p>

<p>I currently have my address at my current community college at my mom's house. I will be transferring to another school next fall, and will be putting my dad's address on the form for the new school. </p>

<p>Will putting my father on the FAFSA raise flags? Is there anything I should make sure gets done before filing the FAFSA?</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Who did you live with the longest in last 12 months?</p>

<p>See [FinAid</a> | Answering Your Questions | Divorce and Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org/questions/divorce.phtml]FinAid”>http://www.finaid.org/questions/divorce.phtml)

</p>

3

<p>Make sure that you document your time with each parent so that if the question comes up, you can justify the change. The parent you have lived with, more of the time in the last 12 months is the custodial parent for FAFSA, and yes, you can switch parents.</p>