^if the mother’s income comes from the dad, then it doesn’t seem like it would be counted as income to both the dad * and* the mom, since that would count the same money twice?
No it won’t be counted twice… But it will be counted…
That money your mom receives from your dad won’t be counted twice…but it WILL be counted once.
Okay. Thank you, everyone, for the information. Every single person I’ve asked down here has said the opposite, but it seemed too good to be true. This basically confirmed my worst fears. Not gonna lie, my dreams are crushed, but I’ll just start mentally preparing myself for an unfavorable result on the 15th. Thanks again.
Note OP said a “net” income of 146k. We don’t know what might get added back in.
And OP, you can Google ‘Alimony in Gross Alabama’ and see some clear info. It is not reportable by your mom and not deductible by your dad. So yes, in effect, a wash. He doesn’t get to subtract it.
For now, make sure you input the right figures.
Like I said…wait and see. Maybe the money will be forthcoming…and maybe it won’t be.
Your mother isn’t going to school so she has no EFC at all. YOU have the EFC which is determined by the school. If you apply to FAFSA only schools, and it sounds like you have a few, that EFC is determined only by the income and assets of the parent you live with the most (your father). You said he makes about $150k, so even if he paid alimony and could reduce his income to ~$122k, you’d still have an EFC of $40k or so. Your mother would have income of $28k, so if you lived mostly with her and you completed the FAFSA, you’d have a very low, probably $0, federal EFC. You’d get a pell grant and subsidized loans.
Barnard requires the CSS to get financial aid so a lot more goes into it. The $28k is either going to be your father’s income or your mother’s, but it will probably ‘hurt’ less being your mother’s. The formulas for divorced people recognize that they have to have two homes, double some other expenses, etc.
However, it sounds like your parents decided not to call it alimony, so your father’s income is still $150k and your mother’s is $0.
OP- good luck to you.
Quick sidebar- since you are applying to a women’s college- a female college graduate (i.e. every single graduate of Barnard) is an alumna, not an alumnus which is a male graduate (and Barnard has no male graduates).
Don’t let your dreams be crushed so easily. If you are in love with Barnard, there are likely another 50 or so colleges you can easily fall in love with and have your dreams come through there. It’s tough having financial reality intrude on your life- but that just puts you in very good company (i.e. the rest of humanity). Make sure you have a nice and robust list of affordable options on your application list since your financial situation is somewhat unpredictable.
However, your mom wouldn’t be the first non-earner to go back to work to help support a kid in college. (I know dozens). Some divorced, some still married, some never married. It is very common since it’s quite tough to educate your kids with only one income.