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Questions From Students

Take a look at some common questions counselors get from students. If you can't find the answer to your question, go visit your school counselor to see if they can help you!

Q: I have a child and a part-time job, but I live with my parents. Must I provide my parents' financial information when I apply for student aid?
A:

It depends on how much you contribute to your child's support.

  • If you provide less than half of your child's support, then you must include your parents' financial information when you apply for student aid. You will not be eligible to receive aid if you do not include this information.
  • If you provide more than half of your child's support, then you need to report only your own income, not your parents'. Your school's Financial Aid Office may require you to provide evidence that you do in fact provide more than half of the child's support.

For more specific details about whether you should include your parents' financial information when you apply for student aid, visit FAFSA® on the Web.

Q: My parents are divorced. Whose financial information must I provide on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?
A:

Provide financial information for the parent with whom you've lived most during the past 12 months, or if you divided your time equally, for the parent who provided the most financial support during the past 12 months. If the parent remarried, provide financial information for both your parent and your stepparent.

For more specific details about which parent's financial information to provide for the purpose of student aid, visit FAFSA on the Web.