The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important step in securing financial aid for college.
However, going through the FAFSA process can be confusing especially for parents who are unfamiliar with the requirements.
FAFSA Requirements for Parents
Generally, dependent students (students under the age of 24 who are unmarried and haven’t served in the military) need to include information about their parents on the FAFSA.
This information helps determine the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is an index of a family’s financial strength.
Parents will need to provide:
- Demographic Information: Basic information like legal names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth will be required.
- Marital Status: Parents will need to indicate their marital status (married, divorced, separated, etc.).
- Tax Information: Tax return information, including W-2s and 1099s, from the previous two years will be used to assess the family’s income and assets.
- Selective Service Registration (Males Only): Biological males must register with Selective Service to be eligible for federal student aid.
For the 2024-2025 FAFSA form, parents will be able to consent to the Department of Education automatically retrieving their tax information directly from the IRS.
This can simplify the application process.
How do I get my parent signature on the FAFSA?
Both the student and at least one parent (or legal guardian) need to sign the FAFSA electronically using a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID.
An FSA ID is a secure username and password that allows access to federal student aid resources. Students and parents can create their own FSA IDs at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch.
Does FAFSA require both parents’ income if divorced?
Yes, if you are a dependent student with divorced parents, information from both parents is generally required on the FAFSA.
Even if you don’t live with one parent or haven’t had contact with them in a while, you’ll still need to provide their information on the FAFSA.
However, there are some exceptions for students in critical circumstances.
You can find more information about these exceptions on the Federal Student Aid website.
How old do you have to be to file FAFSA without parents?
Students can be considered independent for FAFSA purposes if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Age 24 or older by December 31st of the award year.
- Married.
- Have children who are dependent for tax purposes.
- Currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for more than 180 days.
- A veteran with a discharge other than dishonorable.
- An emancipated minor according to state law.
- In legal guardianship (provides court documents).
If you meet any of these criteria, you may be able to file the FAFSA independently without including your parents’ information.
Should I put my parents’ info on FAFSA if I’m independent?
If you are considered an independent student according to the criteria above, you generally are not required to include your parents’ information on the FAFSA.
However, there are some situations where including your parents’ information might be beneficial.
For example, if your parents have a high income but are willing to contribute to your education, including their information could still qualify you for some types of federal student aid.
It’s important to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks before deciding whether to include your parents’ information on the FAFSA.
You may want to consult with a financial aid advisor at your school for personalized guidance.