I am Filling out my FAFSA sheets and have a question, can you help?

Question

i was wondering what the requirements were for putting your parents on the FAFSA forms, i know that there are specific requirements but im not sure what they are. pls help me.

Answer 1

if you're under 18, then you put them down. if you are over 18 and live at home, you put them down. if you're over 18, dont live at home but did within the past year, you put them down.

Answer 2

They won't even file it without parent information unless you're over 26.

Answer 3

The requirements are linked to the dependency test that the FAFSA conducts in answering a series of questions.  If you are considered dependent by the FAFSA rules you will be required to include your parents information.  If you are deemed independent you should file without them.

The dependency rules are:

Over the age of 24

Married

Have children or dependents

Veteran of the armed forces

Orphan or Ward of the Court.

Enrolled in a Graduate program

If you can answer yes to any one of these you are considered independent.  Answer no to all and you MUST include parental information.

EDIT: Found-1's information is verbatim from the FAFSA.  (Thanks for posting that!)

Answer 4

There really is no requirements on that unless your parents are helping you pay for school and that they claim you as a dependent.

So first find out if you are considered independent or dependent. Did  your parents claim you on their income tax, or they putting money towards your college, or are they the ones taking out the loans on the application for your school.

If you live on your own and filed your income tax your own and if you have any children then you are considered independent and do not need to include your parents info on the FASA.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

U need your parents tax information that they filled and maybe their W-2's if you cant get their tax forms. You will also need their social security number. I think thats it most of it is common sense.

Answer 6

you only have to list your parents if you are under 21. if you are under 21, but you have children, you do not need to list parent's info. Even if you are under 21, and don't live w/ your parents, you still have to list there tax info. What I did, was I only put my mother's information, because I don't live with my Dad, and I didn't know his social sec. number or anything.

It is really stupid, but if you are under 21 (regardless of if you live with a parent) you are still considered a "dependent" unless you have a child

Answer 7

Here are the exact questions.  Answer YES to any of them and you don't need your folks income.

Were you born before January 1, 1985 (question 48)?  

At the beginning of the school year 2008-2009 will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.) (question 49)?  

As of today are you married? (Answer "Yes" if you are separated, but not divorced.) (question 50)    

Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you (question 51)?  

Do you have dependents (other than children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2009 (question 52)?  

Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward or dependent of the court (question 53)?  

Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training (question 54)?  

Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (question 55)?