Filing for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a necessity in almost every college-bound student's life. The FAFSA determines the type and amount of federal aid a student qualifies for when attending college. Students of divorced parents may become confused when completing the FAFSA, as it asks for the parents' tax information and only provides room for one parent's tax information. Students should never assume they know which information to use and must request their parents' help in order to correctly fill out the FAFSA.
- Student's taxes
- Parent's taxes
- College savings information
- Social Security number
- Parents' Social Security number
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Instructions
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1
Determine which parent claimed the student as a dependent. The parent the student lived with for the majority of the past year most likely claimed him as a dependent.
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2
Complete the FAFSA using the student and supporting parent's tax information. If the supporting parent is remarried, the FAFSA will require the step-parent's information also.
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3
Declare any college savings provided to the student by the non-supporting parent. Not declaring these savings can result in loss of federal financial aid due to fraud.
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4
Electronically sign the FAFSA after checking the provided answers. The schools of choice will receive the expected family contribution and provide offers of financial aid.