Financial Aid..Im not adopted by him, so why do i need my stepfather's tax returns?

Question

Alright, I'm 20 years old and I'm applying for financial aid. I haven't lived with my parents since my senior year in high school (2 years). Why do i have to continue using my parents information. If anything maybe my mother, but why my step-father. He doesn't carry me on his taxes or anything and i don't have their last name. I don't see how his information is relevant to my financial aid.

I have been living with my grandmother for those 2 years and she's on a fixed income. My parents pay for NOTHING!!! They also live 2 states away. Is there anyway i can work around using my stepfathers tax returns, or BOTH of them.

Answer 1

Not if you are applying for financial aid. In order to be declared independent of them, you must be able to answer "yes" to one of these questions:

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/fotw0...

Also, are the legally married or common law married? Some states do not recognize common law marriage and wouldn't consider them married if they are only living together. If your mother at all filed taxes with him (married filing jointly or married filing separately) you will need his information as well as hers. Unfortunately, that's just the way it goes.

Answer 2

Although it is not necessarily fair, the financial aid programs will count parents' income until you turn 25 unless you are married, divorced, widowed, in the military, were in the military, or have a baby.  The reasoning behind it is that parents have a responsibility to help their children with post-secondary education expenses.  The reason they consider your step-father's income is that they consider your mother and he as a unit.  In order for them to consider your grandparents' income you would have had to live with them and they would have had to have custody of you before you turned 18.  

The only way that you cannot count their income is to prove that they won't/can't help you because they are in prison, have severe mental/emotional issues, etc.  It use to be fairly easy to do, but it is real difficult to prove now.

Have you decided what school you want to attend?  If so, the financial aid office at that school may be a great resource.  If you haven't picked a specific school, you need to look at state supported community colleges or state supported vocational/technical schools.  They both provide an education at a cheaper rate.  Community colleges offer two-year terminal degrees, which means you will be finished in two years and they offer two year associate degrees that will transfer to a four-year college.

As a last resort you can wait until you're 25 to start school.  Then need based financial aid will be based on your income or you could apply for student loans now.  However, I caution you on taking out loans.  They have to be repaid, although some of them have conditions that they will waive part of the loan principal.  Please use loans as a last resort.  You could always work full time and start to school part time until your financial situation improves.  Good luck.

Answer 3

Nope, no way around it.  You have to put moms and step dads income and info until you are 24 or married so get used to it.