FAFSA question, budget related :)

[lucigo]

My husband had to take a job in another town because there are no jobs here...so we have a house payment and rent. Do you think that we could be considered separated? I'm thinking that might help our EFC. Thoughts?

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

This is from the FAFSA faq (08-09):

If your parents are legally separated, the same rules that apply for a divorced couple are used to determine which parent's information must be reported. A couple doesn't have to be legally separated in order to be considered separated for purposes of the FAFSA. The couple may consider themselves informally separated when one of the partners has permanently left the household. If the partners live together, they can't be considered informally separated.

It is a loose interpretation, only you can make the the final decision how you will file.

 

[lucigo]

This is from the FAFSA faq (08-09):

If your parents are legally separated, the same rules that apply for a divorced couple are used to determine which parent's information must be reported. A couple doesn't have to be legally separated in order to be considered separated for purposes of the FAFSA. The couple may consider themselves informally separated when one of the partners has permanently left the household. If the partners live together, they can't be considered informally separated.

It is a loose interpretation, only you can make the the final decision how you will file.

Hmmm I will have to think about it, I think because we are paying for two households its probably above board, just not 100% sure.

Thanks!

 

[Leajess99]

My husband had to take a job in another town because there are no jobs here...so we have a house payment and rent. Do you think that we could be considered separated? I'm thinking that might help our EFC. Thoughts?

I would not claim to be separated because you have to provide your tax information when filing. If you are filing as married filing jointly it will send up red flags and can put you at risk for losing any kind of government grants. You should really talk to your financial aid department if you have questions like this rather than risk federal punishment for possible fraud.

 

[taximomfor4]

I don't think it's considered "Separated" on the FAFSA unless it he has left the home permanently according to the definition on FAFSA.

 

[Justsyd2]

How do you file your taxes? If you're filing as married, I would say that you are not considered to be separated.

 

[disneyfan007]

I would contact the financial aid department and ask them for their advise. If you are picked for a random audit yu will have to submit copies of your income tax return which will reveal filing status, addresses, etc.

 

[msmayor]

My husband had to take a job in another town because there are no jobs here...so we have a house payment and rent. Do you think that we could be considered separated? I'm thinking that might help our EFC. Thoughts?

Doubtful.

Do you alone make sufficient salary to support a household? If you alone (through a married filing separate tax return) don't show sufficient income, the schools are going to want to know how you're managing to live on a meager income. The circumstances of your living arrangement will need to be disclosed. And as another poster said, if the move isn't "permanent", then you'd be stretching the truth a little too far.

Also bear in mind that housing costs are not considered at all when computing your EFC through FAFSA. Your family's maintenance of two households would be considered a 'lifestyle choice' and not a requirement, just as consumer debt is considered a choice and not a requirement. Its why debt isn't asked about at all on FAFSA...any type of debt, mortgage or otherwise.

If selected for verification, you would have to provide hard-copies of your tax returns.

 

[allison443]

According to the definition posted above, separated means he has permanently left the household...doesn't he ever come back to visit like on weekends, vacations, etc.? Then you aren't separated.

Edited to add, I don't think families with a deployed military spouse are considered separated either, although they aren't living together.

 

[Lady V]

Separated for good is what they mean. He has chosen to take a job somewhere else. I personally don't think you qualify to be listed as 'separate'. Otherwise anyone who chooses to own two homes would qualify. His income is still combined with yours. I would say this is a definite no.

 

[lucigo]

I would contact the financial aid department and ask them for their advise. If you are picked for a random audit yu will have to submit copies of your income tax return which will reveal filing status, addresses, etc.

Random? We get selected every year LOL He moved to Orlando Jan 20 so our 2009 taxes list him as still living here.

 

[lucigo]

Thanks for all of the replies. I did our FAFSA last night and our EFC is around $500 per child (we have 2 in college) so I will just leave it the way it is. (I listed us as married, not separated). I'm sure next year it will be a lot higher now that DH has a job, but hopefully the kids will get enough grants/scholarships, etc. to survive.

 

[Virgderon]

No matter what, it's a good idea to contact the college financial aid office. There are many situations that do not fit neatly into a form like the FAFSA.

Let them know that you have special circumstances and see if they can help. Altho, in this economy, you will be competing against people whose circumstances may be even worse than yours.

Still worth a call.

 

[Leajess99]

Thanks for all of the replies. I did our FAFSA last night and our EFC is around $500 per child (we have 2 in college) so I will just leave it the way it is. (I listed us as married, not separated). I'm sure next year it will be a lot higher now that DH has a job, but hopefully the kids will get enough grants/scholarships, etc. to survive.

Always check for scholarships and grants that the kids may be eligible. You can contact the financial aid department and they should have lists of scholarships available.

 

[jt8595]

I work in a financial aid office. That does not meet the definition or federal intent of marital separation. However, the financial aid office might choose to make a professional judgement based upon a reduction in income or other type special situation.

 

[lucigo]

I work in a financial aid office. That does not meet the definition or federal intent of marital separation. However, the financial aid office might choose to make a professional judgement based upon a reduction in income or other type special situation.

Thanks, I emailed UWF to ask about both this and how to answer the question about whether they live at home or off campus if we end up moving to Orando but letting them stay here in our house and hopefully help with the mortgage.

They let me know that we should list married, and that the kids would live "off campus". So I did everything correctly.

 

[disneyfan007]

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