Tuesday Tips for May 2023

Who Is Not a Parent on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

When filing the FAFSA, most undergraduate students under the age of 24 are required to provide parent information. But determining who is a parent on the FAFSA is not always obvious. The upcoming 2024-2025 FAFSA requires dependent students to provide parent information for both of their biological or adoptive parents if those parents are married to each other or living together. If those parents aren’t married to each other and don’t live together, parent information is required for the parent who provides the majority of the student’s financial support. If this parent is married, stepparent information is also required.

But what if a student lives with someone other than their biological or adoptive parent(s)? Is that person considered a parent on the FAFSA? The short answer—no. Following is a list of five categories of people who are not considered a parent when it comes to the FAFSA.

1. Legal guardians

A court-appointed legal guardian is not considered a parent on the FAFSA. Students in legal guardianship or who were in guardianship when they turned 18 are considered independent when filing a FAFSA and do not need to provide parent information. The financial aid office may ask for official documentation of a student's situation.

2. Foster parents

A foster parent who has not adopted the student is not considered a parent on the FAFSA if that student was in their care at any point after the student turned 13 years old. Students who were in foster care at any time after turning 13 are considered independent on the FAFSA and do not have to provide any parent information on the form. The financial aid office may ask for official documentation of a student's situation.

3. Stepparents, if they are no longer married to the student’s biological or adoptive parent

Unless the stepparent adopted the student, the stepparent is not considered a parent on the FAFSA if they are not currently married to the student’s biological or adoptive parent. This is true even if the stepparent is the primary caregiver to the student. It is also the case if the biological or adoptive parent is deceased. If the stepparent is the primary caregiver, the student should contact the financial aid office at the school they attend (or plan to attend) to discuss their situation and determine how to complete the FAFSA.

4. Grandparents, older siblings, or other family members

These family members are not considered parents on the FAFSA unless they have adopted the student. If these family members have legal guardianship of the student (see #1) or are the student’s foster parent (see #2), the student is considered independent. If neither of those situations applies, the student should contact the financial aid office at the school they attend (or plan to attend) to discuss their situation and determine how to complete the FAFSA.

5. A friend’s parents or other nonfamily members

These individuals are not considered parents on the FAFSA, even if they have been the student’s primary caregiver for an extended period. If the student is unable to live with their biological or adoptive parent, or if the student would otherwise be homeless if not for these individuals, the student should contact the financial aid office at the school they attend (or plan to attend) to discuss their situation and determine how to complete the FAFSA.

If contacting the financial aid office is recommended above, students should let the financial aid officer know that they are experiencing unusual circumstances. Based on the specifics of a student’s situation, the financial aid officer will determine if a dependency override is appropriate. If granted a dependency override, a student does not have to provide any parent information on the FAFSA. If a dependency override is not appropriate, the financial aid office will provide the student with guidance on how to complete the FAFSA. Additionally, students and caregivers can always reach out to FAME to discuss their situation.

Wednesday Webinar: May 2023

Working with Students with Challenging Circumstances

In this webinar, host Jessica Whittier discusses working with students whose situation doesn’t fit into a neat box. Learn about the special circumstances already built into the FAFSA as well as some of the many changes coming that will make it easier for students in complicated situations. You'll also learn about recent guidance from the Department of Education that provides colleges and universities with more flexibility when working with students who face these challenging circumstances.

Watch the Webinar

For additional helpful information and resources, find previous tips on our website.

FAME's College Access and Financial Education Team:

Mila Tappan, College Access and Outreach Manager

Floreka Malual, College Planning Advisor

Jessica Whittier, College Access Counselor

Maria MacDougal, College Access Counselor

Nikki Vachon, College Access Counselor

Mary Dyer, Financial Education Programs Manager

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