FAFSA Question (@@@)

[twinmomma]

This is a question that's been floating around in my brain for awhile now. My kids are only 11, so we have a ways to go before it is relevant, but I'm hoping someone here knows how this works!

ExH and I each claim one of the kids on our taxes every year instead of swapping off who claims them since they're the same age and it just makes life easier. So he always claims Kid A and I always claim Kid B. 

ExH makes a lot less money than I do. Like, maybe a third of what I make in a year. 

When we fill out the FAFSA, I know it's somehow based on our taxes. But with our current set up, does he fill out for Kid A and I fill out for Kid B? Or are we both listed on both FAFSA forms? 

I'm just envisioning that Kid A is going to qualify for way more financial aid than Kid B based on our "expected family contributions" if we each fill out the forms separately. 

Is that how this works? My anxiety brain has decided this is a new hyper focus situation for me. 

[flygirl]

I think this is changing but I believe it’s the parent who provided the most financial support vs who the kid lived with. So I don’t think it matters how they get claimed, but if you make the money that supports them, you’ll fill out the FAFSA

[sarahsays]

The parent who provides the majority of support would be the one included regardless of who claims the child on their taxes.

Here is a good link: financialaid.sfsu.edu/2024-2025-fafsa-changes#:~:text=For%20students%20whose%20parents%20are,over%20the%20past%2012%20months

Of course, this could all change by the time your kids are college aged.

[plutosmoon]

Right now, as the higher earner, you are likely the parent who provides the most financial support so you would be the FAFSA parent for both kids. This just changed from parent kid lives with more. It could change again.

Your kids may decide to apply to schools that use the CSS Profile, and they will want both parents info. Aid stuff changes all the time, try not to worry until you are closer to college.

[twinmomma]

Ok, this all makes me feel better! I'm not sure why I was so hung up on it, it's something that just dawned on me recently. I provide all financial support for the kids, down to buying clothes to keep at dad's house. He doesn't contribute anything but we have 50/50 custody.

Thanks for humoring my random, very early to ask, question!

[Roc A Bee]

Thanks for asking this as I’ve been curious. We have 50/50 of my stepkids. There’s no child support paid and we each contribute equally to the kids. DH and his ex also make similar amounts (or at least did in 2020- the last time we went to court).