Is non custodial parent responsible for college expenses?

Since they don’t have the same financial advantages of children from intact families, they are considered a “special class.” As such the lawful requirement that non-custodial parents pay college tuition and costs are a “legitimate governmental purpose.” That purpose specifically is the education of its youth.

Does it matter which parent I use for FAFSA?

The FAFSA questions use gender-neutral terminology for married parents (“Parent 1 (father/mother/stepparent)” and “Parent 2 (father/mother/stepparent)” instead of “mother” and “father”). It does not matter which parent completes which set of questions.

Do you need both parents for FAFSA?

The FAFSA is what the federal government and most colleges and universities rely on to formulate students’ financial aid packages. If they live together — regardless of whether they are unmarried, separated, or divorced — FAFSA requires information about both parents .

How do I get FAFSA money without parents?

If you have no contact with your parents and don’t know where they live, or you’ve left home due to an abusive situation, fill out the FAFSA form and then immediately get in touch with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend.

Does FAFSA require non-custodial parent information?

If parents are DIVORCED OR SEPARATED AND DON’T LIVE TOGETHER, FAFSA only requires information from the custodial parent. Education questions must be answered about the biological or adoptive parents. If you are a STUDENT WITH NO CUSTODIAL PARENTS, you have limited options.

What is the financial responsibility of the non-custodial parent?

Non-custodial parents are responsible for providing financial and medical support to their child or children. Non-custodial parents bear the responsibility for paying all of the ordered child support.

At what age are you considered independent for financial aid?

24 or older
A student age 24 or older by Dec. 31 of the award year is considered independent for federal financial aid purposes.

Who is a parent FAFSA?

A parent means your legal (biological or adoptive) parent or stepparent, or a person that the state has determined to be your legal parent.

Can a custodial parent forgive arrears?

A custodial parent can waive or forgive all arrears owed to him or her directly.

What are the rights of the custodial parent?

Legal custody allows a parent to make the major life decisions on behalf of the child. These decisions typically involve such aspects of the child’s life as their health, safety, and welfare, such as decisions about education, medical care, and what type of religious affiliation the child will have.

Who is the custodial parent for FAFSA purposes?

The custodial parent for FAFSA purposes may or may not be the parent who is given primary custody in the divorce decree or who claims the student on their tax return. The FAFSA instructions state: “If your parents are divorced or separated, answer the questions about the parent you lived with more during the past 12 months.

How does the FAFSA work for parents who have never been married?

The FAFSA treats parents who never married in exactly the same way as parents who married and divorced. You can skip down to the section “For Parents Who Have Legally Divorced” for more information on your contribution. For Parents Who Are Separated But Not Divorced For separated parents, it all comes down to current living situation.

What does divorce mean on the FAFSA?

The FAFSA also has a pretty strict definition of divorce: the parents must live separately in order to file as divorced. What about assets? Again, only the custodial parent’s assets are reported and again, if they’ve remarried the new spouse’s assets count too.

Should I file the FAFSA If I have custody of my child?

And even in cases where custody is not joint, there may be questions. In general, it’s best for the lower-earning parent to file the FAFSA. However, alimony and child support– which are reported as income– might make the income gap smaller than it appears.