First kiddo going to college in a couple of years. Ex and I are divorcing. I assume my son would get more financial aid if I am the primary parent (since I make much less) but does that mean I would need to claim him on taxes? We have been trying to decide how to split the three kids for taxes (we split them 50-50 time wise) and want to see if anyone knows the best way to do this so that they get the best financial aid in the future.

FYI first kiddo will likely do a couple years of Community College first. We are in CA.

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shadow_chance t1_iuk9nwz wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:40 PM

> If your parents are divorced or separated and don’t live together, answer the questions about the parent with whom you lived more during the past 12 months.

> If you lived the same amount of time with each divorced or separated parent, give answers about the parent who provided more financial support during the past 12 months or during the most recent 12 months that you actually received support from a parent

https://studentaid.gov/help-center/answers/article/how-to-complete-fafsa-if-parents-divorced-separated

Automatic_Sundae2902 t1_iuk9hrn wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:39 PM

I don’t know what the law says or if it varies a lot from school to school, but here’s how it worked out for me:

I had two sets of parents who shared custody 50-50. My bio parents both remarried after they got divorced, so 4 ppl including stepparents.

My dad claimed me on his taxes each year, my mom claimed my other sibling.

Both sets of parents were expected to submit their tax returns to calculate my expected family contribution (EFC) for financial aid. The EFC was outrageously high, and the school refused to grant me more aid during my sophomore year when my mom lost her job.

Sounds like your plan to start kiddo out in a community college is awesome!!

apismeliferaone t1_iuka9yx wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:45 PM

College finance expert Mark Kantrowitz has a good write up on this.

https://www.savingforcollege.com/article/divorce-and-the-fafsa

NewDifficulty9209 t1_iuk8y4v wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:35 PM

You do not need to claim him on taxes for FAFSA, but you’ll need to be at poverty level to get Pell grant.

If the college uses the CSS profile for determining scholarship, both parents incomes will be included.

chrissandoval888 t1_iukaqkk wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:49 PM

I hope you get in contact with someone who know the FAFSA in and out.

My counselor helped a ton and absolutely Maximized my Fafsa along with plenty other scholarships.

girl_of_squirrels t1_iukayi9 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:51 PM

See https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/parent-info they have a flow chart for your convenience

FAFSA Dependency criteria is separate from IRS Dependency criteria though there are overlap points