Do I have to put my mother's income on my FAFSA?

Question

The form asks for both parents income but I haven't spoken to her in 3 years or more. I would need to see her tax forms to even know how much she earns in a year but that doesn't make sense because she hasn't given me a cent in years. Do I even need to include her on the FAFSA form?

Answer 1

I left that entire section blank and only put down my income info and refused to answer any questions about the folks. Got a pell grant. I support myself and file my taxes on my own. That may of been why I got one.

Answer 2

If your parents are divorced and you live with your dad, then you only need to put his information on your FAFSA.  

If your dad is remarried you need to provide information about your dad and your stepmom.

Answer 3

yes you do.......doesn't matter...are your parents divorced?

Answer 4

Since your parents are divorced and it seems that you live with your dad, you do NOT need your biological mother's income information.  If your dad is married, your stepmother's income would also have to be taken into consideration.

Answer 5

If they are sperated than yes but I believe there is a question on it about who you live with and supports you.

Answer 6

No, FAFSA only asks for the info for custodial parent and their spouse. Private schools, however, which use Profile or their own institutional forms, will require your mother's info as well.

Answer 7

Here is the exact answer from the Student Financial Aid Handbook that all financial aid officers are required to use for federal educational assistance programs:

Divorce of the student’s parents

"If the student’s parents are divorced, he should report the information of the parent with whom he lived longer during the twelve months prior to the date he completes the application, regardless of which parent claimed him as an exemption for tax purposes. If the student lived equally with each parent or didn’t live with either one, then he should provide the information for the parent from whom he received more financial support or the one from whom he received more support the last calendar year for which it was given.

Note that it is not typical that a student will live with or receive support from both parents exactly equally. Usually you can determine that the student lived with one of the parents more than half the year or that he received more than half support from one of the parents."

I hope that helped! Good luck!