Would my school’s financial aid department be suspicious if I suddenly started using a different parent’s tax return information to qualify for more financial aid for the new school year? For example, for the past few years, I have been reporting my father’s tax return information but I think using my mother’s information for the next year might help me qualify for more aid. Does this look too suspicious to make such a sudden change?
Well, you can’t just choose which parent’s income to report.
The parent you lived with more in the 365 days prior to filing FAFSA is your custodial parent for FAFSA.
So if you lived with your dad more in all the previous years you would use his income, if you truly lived with your mom more the past year then you can use her income.
I’m sure it will bring your FAFSA up for verification. In that case the FA office will ask why there was a change. As @mommdc states you need to list the person you spent more time with. Plan to spend more time with your mom if you want to do this.