Would I qualify as their dependent?

Question

My parents are divorced.

Right now it is joint custody.

They are both married.

My Mom doesn't work.

My stepdad does.

My Dad works.

And my stepmom works.

Would I count as a dependend of just my Mom and Dad or my step parents too for college grants?

Answer 1

Only one pair can claim you as a dependant. If you mom and step dad file joint taxes, then you could be claimed on theirs, or your dad's and step moms. Many times divorced parents will take turns claiming the children each year.

Answer 2

Whether or not they are working doesn't matter. What matters for financial aid is your situation. You are not a dependent if any of the following apply:

You are 24 or older

You are in a Master's/Doctorate level program

You are married

You have children and provide more than half their support

Both parents are deceased or you are a ward of the court (doesn't seem to apply here)

You are in or have been in the U.S. Armed Forces.

As a dependent, you are required to include in the FAFSA information from the parent (and step-parent, if remarried) with whom the student lived more in the past 12 months.

If you lived with both families for exactly half the year each, I'd pick one and go with it for the sake of simplicity. Otherwise, go with the parent and stepparent you lived with the most in the past year.

Outside of the FAFSA, I'm not sure about any grant specific requirements for claiming dependent or independent status.

Answer 3

Dependent/Independent Status

When applying for financial aid, you are considered either dependent or independent. Students considered dependent on their parents are required to submit financial information about their family.

You are automatically considered independent for the 2007-2008 award year if you are 24 or older as of December 31, 2007. If you are under 24, you will be considered independent if you are:

A graduate or professional student.

Married.

A student with legal dependents other than a spouse.

A veteran of U.S. Armed Forces.

An active duty member of the U.S. armed forces (not for training purposes)

An orphan or ward of court.

Classified by your financial aid administrator

Answer 4

When you apply for fin aid with the fafsa application you will likely have to report parents income if you can't answer "Yes" to those questions mentioned already.  When you do, you have to report the parent who gives you the most support (this is generally the parent you live with the most) and their spouse (your step parent).  Hope this helps.  Here is a book that goes into in more detail.