<p>Tell them what you’ve told us…tell them what your EFC is and how that’s mostly from your Stepdad’s income and he won’t contribute much/anything. Tell them that you want to attend, but right now it’s not affordable. Ask them to review your situation and see if something more can be done. You’re a girl, the school does want more girls.</p>
<p>Alright, thank you so much. I will set an appointment right now.</p>
<p>Just curious…does anyone understand the logic behind the step-parent’s income being counted? If they didn’t adopt the kid, they don’t really have any legal rights to the child, so why should they have a financial obligation to pay for their college? What would stop a poorer parent from “moving in” with a richer partner, and not marrying therm? It almost reminds me of the old so-called “marriage penalty” where the IRS gave a larger standard deduction to 2 single persons, than to a married couple. Maybe I’m misinterpreting the original post?</p>
<p>I believe the view is that step parent’s income relieves the financial burden of other costs that a single parent would have (mortgage, food, etc) that is now available to pay for school.</p>
<p>*What would stop a poorer parent from “moving in” with a richer partner, and not marrying therm? *</p>
<p>That does happen, too.</p>
<p>But as Erin’s Dad says…once married, the single parent now has 2 adults providing for the household…so the formerly single parent’s income isn’t solely supporting a household anymore.</p>