I'm unsure of how to file my fafsa application. I am legally separated from my husband as of 1/2008.?

Question

I will be living solely on the child support and alimony that I was awarded by the courts, however we filed our taxes married/jointly for 2007 since I don't work. I will be living on 1/2 the income I was, but don't know how to ammend this information so I can increase my chances of getting financial aid since my situation is completely different from 2007. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Also, how will the separation affect my future applications for fafsa? will I have to include his income despite the legal separation? I know next year we will likely file taxes married/seprately. Thanks!

Answer 1

You will not have to include your husband's income if you are separated.  You only use your income information for the year 2007.  This process can be complicated because you are looking at line items on the tax return.  Look at your joint tax return, and see if any line items pertain to you.  For example, if there is interest in the bank of $100.00, then you would include $50 as income to you.  Actually what you are doing is creating a tax return as if you were filing by yourself.  This takes some expertise, so I would bring my 2007 income tax along with the w-2 forms to the financial aid office so they can help you complete the FAFSA.  They will separated your income from your husband and give you the figures to include on the FAFSA.  Most likely you will be eligible for the grants since you did not work in 2007.

For the 2009-10 FAFSA and beyond, if you are still separated, you should file your own taxes, separate from your husband.  You never have to include his income if you are separated, but the financial aid office will wonder why you are filing jointly with your husband year after year if you are separated.  The household size would only include you and your children.  If you are not working, then you only need to include child support and alimony.

I hope this is helpful.