So the FAFSA says that a seperated “couple is legally married but has chosen to live separate lives, including living in separate households, as though they were not married.”
My parents live on different floors of the same house. (My mom can’t afford to move out) I live with my mom on one floor and my dad lives by himself on another floor. Both floors are completely separated by a locked door. There are separate exits/entrances to the street. My parents don’t speak to each other, file their own taxes, pay their own bills, etc. Its almost like two separate apartments because each floor doesn’t have access to the other one. They even put “apt. 1” vs “apt. 2” on all their documents & such.
Does this count as separated for the FAFSA? I just read something saying that separate floors don’t count as two separate households, but they kind of are in my case? I live entirely with my mom and I don’t have access to my dad’s floor, so I assumed that for the FAFSA I would just put my mom’s income? Especially since my dad does not give me any financial support. He doesn’t even know what high school I go to or when my birthday is. And with his uninvolvement, he wouldn’t help me pay for college anyway. He berated me five years ago just for wanting $20 for school trip money. I’ve barely talked to him since
Also, my mom claims me as a dependent for taxes under head of household, while my dad files as single. With IRS retrieval, wouldn’t I just put my mom’s income for FAFSA then? Will colleges not accept this/ask for proof of separation? How would this work for schools that also require CSS & NCP?
I feel like I should talk to my guidance counselor about this but I just wanted to ask here first. New to this website, sorry if I sound off.
I think they have separated, especially if they file taxes separately (although your father is not single, he is married filing separately). Be prepared to be questioned.
For CSS, even if they are separated, the NCP forms will most likely be required. It is up to each school as to what they want.
Hoping @BelknapPoint or @Madison85 will come in regarding your mom’s tax filing status. There are certain situations where married folks CAN file as head of household. Perhaps yours is one of those.
It also sounds to me like your parents are separated for FAFSA purposes.
Do check the financial aid applicationnrequirements at EVERY college you apply to. Some require the CSS Profile and the non-custodial parent profile for the non-custodial parent. Some schools have their own forms which ask for non-custodial parent information.
If required, you probably will have to provide it.
My mom has help with her taxes through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. They determine her as eligible for Head of Household. She does pay more than half of the household expenses.
Yes, my dad more likely files as married filing separately. I was just assuming that he files as single. He doesn’t tell us about his taxes or income, so I don’t know. All I know is that he doesn’t claim me as a dependent.
My main concern is even if they do qualify as separated for the FAFSA and CSS, for the colleges that require the NCP would it not seem a little strange for the noncustodial parent to live in the same address but a different “apartment”?
My mom is uncomfortable with the idea of filling out a NCP waiver. She says she doesn’t have legal documentation to support my father’s uninvolvement in my life (she hasn’t gone to court with him and doesn’t want to). I’m probably not going to be asking for a waiver and am fairly certain I’ll have to provide the NCP if the school asks for it, especially since my dad lives so close regardless of financial support.
I’m just wondering if they will question my parent’s status of “separated” if they see the same house address for both of them.
And yes, each floor has its own bath and kitchen haha. Its a 3-family house: each floor can provide for a separate living arrangement.
They won’t see your father’s address on the FAFSA. Only the custodial parent’s information is filled in on the form. On the CSS, they’ll see it but require him to fill out the NCP forms anyway.
One thing to find out before filling out FAFSA is who pays for the housing. I’m just wondering because of the statement that mom and daughter can’t afford to move out of this particular house.