<p>My daughter is a senior in high school so we are beginning the college search. She has lived with me full time for the last 4 years. Her father and I are divorced. We have joint/shared custody but he gets to deduct her on his taxes I've never been able to claim the kids in 10 years. I am remarried as is her father. Who's income do we use for FASA? I personally make less than my ex-husband but combined with my new husband's we would make much more. My ex is also remarried and his new wife is employed. I'm so confused and I want to do the right thing for my daughter.</p>
<p>For FAFSA you have to report the financial information of the parent and spouse with whom the student lives.</p>
<p>from the 2008-2009 instructions (2009-2010 are not available yet)
[Completing</a> the FAFSA 07-08/The Application Questions(55-83)](<a href=“http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/completing_fafsa/2008_2009/ques5.html]Completing”>http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/completing_fafsa/2008_2009/ques5.html)</p>
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<p>If your daughter goes to a school that requires CSS/Profile then the income of the custodial parent and spouse *and *the income of the non-custodial parent and spouse must be reported on CSS.</p>
<p>Someone posted the other day that Amherst does not use the stepparent’s income. I have no idea whether or not this is true. If it is, though, that means that such a school really exists … so there may be more … making it worth doing a search.</p>
<p>Caveat here: federal aid has to be awarded using the FAFSA & federal methodology. This means that Pell grants & the awards driven by Pell (like ACG & SMART) must include stepparent info. But it’s possible some schools <em>may</em> award their own aid in some situations to make up for it. Again, I don’t know … just raising the subject because the Amherst post surprised me.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine how you could complete a FAFSA when you have a stepparent…without putting that information on the form. Perhaps Amherst’s formula doesn’t consider that information, but it still needs to be included.</p>
<p>For FAFSA, custodial parent and spouse (if there is one). For Profile…everyone…custodial parent and spouse (if there is one) and non-custodial parent and spouse (if there is one).</p>
<p>Doesn’t it go by the figures on the income tax return, and unless the parent and step-parent file seperately, how could you NOT list the step-parent and their income for FAFSA or PROFILE?</p>
<p>For FAFSA you are required to report the parent you lived with the most and their spouse whether they do taxes separately or together. If there are schools that do not require the step parent info for their own institutional aid you would still have to report it on FAFSA and any federal aid (Pell grants, ACG, SEOG, SMART grant, Perkins and Stafford loans etc) and probably any State aid that is based on the FAFSA EFC would be based on the parent/stepparent income.</p>
<p>Right. It would be required for FAFSA. It just might be taken out for institutional aid purposes.</p>
<p>If your parents (or parent and stepparent) file their taxes separately, the income sections need to be taken from BOTH returns and put on the FAFSA form. You don’t use only ONE tax return…you use whatever the required parents filed.</p>
<p>yes, I called Amherst and they told me that they only use the info from both parents.
Also, I have not been able to find any other schools that use that method though other LACs might, I just haven’t checked with them</p>
<p>they said while it is required for the FAFSA, their methodology only uses both biological (or adoptive) parents. Call their Fin. Aid office and ask. I was shocked also</p>
<p>pyles_m </p>
<p>Well the Amherst news is good for you. :)</p>