Understanding FAFSA definitions for parents

Financial aid forms are loaded with confusing and head-scratching questions with caveats included — even more so for students whose parents are divorced, separated or unwed.

Making mistakes about a student’s dependency status on the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, can have costly consequences. The FAFSA, available at www.studentaid.gov, determines eligibility for federal student loans, scholarships, work-study and other financial aid.

Here are some guidelines to follow regarding blended families, those with divorced or unmarried parents and other familial situations. Information comes mostly from the U.S. Department of Education’s financial aid website.

Who is a parent?

According to the FAFSA, a parent is a “biological or adoptive” parent or a person determined by the state to be a parent. Grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, older brothers or sisters, uncles or aunts and widowed stepparents aren’t considered parents unless they have legally adopted a student.

In a divorce or separation where the parents don’t live together, which parent must provide the FAFSA financial information?

Only one parent in this case needs to provide his or her financial information. This parent, recognized as the custodial for FAFSA purposes, is the one the student lived with more during the past 12 months. If the child lived the same amount of time with both parents, then the parent who provided the most financial support during the past year should be the one tied to the FAFSA.

What if divorced or separated parents live together?

If divorced parents are living together, indicate their marital status as “unmarried and both legal parents living together,” not “divorced or separated.” Answer questions about both of them.

If your separated parents live together, indicate their marital status as “married or remarried,” not “divorced or separated,” and answer questions about both of them.

One caveat: Consider writing the financial aid office at schools under consideration to explain what’s going on in the family. That might allow the financial aid officer to make a professional judgment that could boost the financial aid package.

What happens in the case of a step-parent?

If you have a stepparent who is married to the legal parent whose information you’re reporting, you must provide information about that stepparent as well.

What happens in the case of a same-sex marriage?

Same-sex couples must report their marital status as married, if they were legally married. This is regardless of where the parents live, or where the student will be attending school.

What if parents are concerned about their citizenship status?

Parents’ citizenship status does not impact a student’s eligibility for federal financial aid. In fact, the FAFSA form “doesn’t even ask about your parent’s status.”

Finally, some schools also require filling out the College Board CSS Profile, which has different requirements and definitions regarding divorce, separation and other family situations — and, of course, more caveats.

What if I’m a foster child who hasn’t been adopted?

Foster children who haven’t been adopted are considered wards of the court and should list themselves as “independent” when filling out the FAFSA. This will entitle you to financial resources. This applies to any student who was a ward of the court at age 13 or older.