Issue/Question
What parent's information is reported on the FAFSA in a divorce situation?
Environment
Resolution
In this situation, how you fill out the FAFSA depends on whether your parents live together or not.
Note: Keep in mind the following when reading this article:
- For FAFSA purposes, your married parents are separated if they are considered legally separated by a state, or if they are legally married but have chosen to live separate lives, including living in separate households, as though they were not married
- When two married persons live as a married couple but are separate by physical distance (or have separate households), they are considered married for FAFSA purposes
- Divorced or Separated Parents Who Do Not Live Together:
- If your parents are divorced or separated and don't live together
- answer the questions about the parent with whom you lived with more during the past 12 months, regardless of which parent claimed you as an exemption for tax purposes
- If you lived the same amount of time with each divorced or separated parent
- give answers about the parent who provided more financial support during the past 12 months or during the most recent 12 months that you actually received support from a parent
- Divorced or Separated Parents Who Live Together:
- If your parents live together
- you'll indicate their marital status as Unmarried and both parents living together, and
- you will answer questions about both of them on the FAFSA
- If your parents live together,
- you'll indicate their marital status as Married or remarried (NOT "Divorced or separated"), and
- you will answer questions about both of them on the FAFSA
More information can be at Student Aid Information
Please contact Financial Aid if you need further assistance