Applying for Financial Aid for College

[Jodi1980]

If you are divorced, do they also want your ex's income information?

Is child support added into your income?

Thanks.

 

[ca859093]

no to both

 

[Jodi1980]

So what would stop someone from using the lower income parent rather than the higher one?

 

[tidoublegger]

I too am curious about this...I have no idea what my ex makes these days and feel very uncomfortable asking him. He gives me child support and I have this reported on my son's FAFSA. I haven't sent it off yet as I need to find out the answer to this question. Anyone out there know the answer?!?!? Thanks!

 

[Jodi1980]

Child support ends for a lot of people when their children graduate from high school also so hopefully we do not have to claim it.

 

[my3kids]

Some colleges DO ask for the information. It is up to each school to decide how it is handled.

 

[m&m's mom]

When I worked in the Financial Aid dept of a university in the last 80's they only used the person's income that claimed them as a dependent on their taxes.
Not sure if same now.

 

[Jockaroo]

I don't know the answers to your questions, but consider calling your child's high school guidance office for help. Also, colleges have financial aid offices and routinely get asked questions about the forms. I remember spending lots of time in F.A. trying to understand the forms. Good luck.

 

[kylara]

Originally posted by my3kids
Some colleges DO ask for the information. It is up to each school to decide how it is handled.

This is correct. Contact the financial aid office a the college your child will be attended.

 

[NHAnn]

If you are talking about the FAFSA, which believe most colleges require you to complete, it has instructions/guidelines as to whose/what information is required....I know that I had to report mine and my DH's income (DH is DD's stepfather) because DD lives with us and we claim her as a dependent on our taxes. The form has a place for "pertinent information"...where I added that my divorce decree requres my ex to cover 1/2 of DD's post-secondary education costs.

Some colleges require their own forms/supplements as well as the FAFSA, the one we had to fill out is called the CSS Profile that a lot of private colleges require. The Profile asked me to provide my ex's name and address, and one of the colleges requested that a "non-custodial parent's information" supplemental form be submitted, because that particular college takes into account the non-custodial parent's assetts as well, I presume.
Each college has it's own policies for for determining your "need" but they pretty much rely on the FAFSA information for dispensing federal aid and then the supplemental stuff can factor in awarding $$ available directly from the college.

As previous posters said, the colleges financial aid office should be able to help you....and although the FAFSA and other forms are intimidating, they have step by step instructions and there is also on-line help too, as you go through question by question.

It's a real pain.....good luck!!