<p>On College Apps, specifically the Common App, I am asked for my parent's income. </p>
<p>Is this income Adjusted Gross Income or simply Gross Income?
It matters a lot to me.
It's the difference between saving 11k per year or not if I get accepted.</p>
<p>You put earned income (found on your W-2 block 1) or as my paystub calls it 'taxable wages'. In some cases, your Gross Income is the same number, in my case it is not because I have retirement money taken out of my pre-tax income so it is not included in earned income (but it goes somewhere else on the FAFSA just so you know).</p>
<p>There is also a place for Adjusted gross income on the FAFSA (this comes from your 1040 tax form).</p>
<p>Earned income will not include any interest or dividends earned on your savings that you report on the tax forms.</p>