The Free Utility for Federal Pupil Help (FAFSA) course of for college kids whose mother and father are divorced or separated presents distinctive issues, significantly when mother and father share custody equally. The contribution anticipated from mother and father is a big think about figuring out a scholar’s eligibility for monetary help. In conditions the place mother and father have equal bodily custody, particular guidelines dictate whose monetary data ought to be reported on the FAFSA type.
Understanding these pointers is essential for maximizing a scholar’s entry to grants, loans, and work-study packages. Traditionally, the FAFSA has developed in its strategy to divorced or separated household conditions, aiming to pretty assess a household’s means to contribute to varsity prices. Correct completion of the FAFSA, adhering to those guidelines, can considerably affect the general affordability of upper training for the scholar.