Do you put step parents on FAFSA? This is a common question among parents and students alike when it comes to filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is a crucial form for students seeking financial aid for college, and understanding how to correctly include step parents can greatly impact the amount of aid a student receives. In this article, we will explore the rules and guidelines surrounding the inclusion of step parents on the FAFSA and provide answers to some frequently asked questions.
The FAFSA is designed to help students and their families determine their eligibility for federal financial aid, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. When it comes to including step parents on the FAFSA, the rules can be a bit confusing. According to the U.S. Department of Education, step parents are considered “affiliates” and may be included on the FAFSA under certain circumstances.
Firstly, it is important to note that step parents must be legally married to the student’s biological or adoptive parent in order to be included on the FAFSA. If the step parent is not legally married to the student’s biological or adoptive parent, they cannot be considered an affiliate and should not be included on the FAFSA.
Secondly, the step parent must have provided at least half of the student’s support for the past year. This includes financial support, as well as providing a home for the student. If the step parent has not provided at least half of the student’s support, they cannot be included on the FAFSA.
Another important factor to consider is the relationship between the student and the step parent. The student must have lived with the step parent for more than half of the past year to be considered an affiliate. If the student has not lived with the step parent for the required amount of time, they cannot be included on the FAFSA.
In some cases, a step parent may be included on the FAFSA even if they do not meet all of the above criteria. For example, if the student’s biological or adoptive parent remarries and the step parent has provided significant financial support or a home for the student, they may still be considered an affiliate.
It is also worth noting that if a student’s biological or adoptive parent remarries and the step parent has no biological or adoptive relationship with the student, they may still be required to provide information on the FAFSA. This is because the step parent is considered an affiliate based on their marriage to the student’s biological or adoptive parent, rather than their relationship with the student.
To summarize, the answer to the question “Do you put step parents on FAFSA?” is not a simple yes or no. It depends on the specific circumstances of the student and their family. If the step parent is legally married to the student’s biological or adoptive parent, has provided at least half of the student’s support, and the student has lived with the step parent for more than half of the past year, they can be included on the FAFSA. However, it is always best to consult the FAFSA guidelines or seek advice from a financial aid advisor to ensure that the form is completed correctly and that the student receives the maximum amount of financial aid available.
