If you have questions about the FAFSA applications, these resources may help. You can also contact the Financial Aid Office or the FAFSA Federal Student Aid Information Center.
Who Is the Parent Contributor On My FAFSA?
Dependent students are required to report parent(s) information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to determine who counts as a parent on the FAFSA. If you are unable to provide your parents' information on the FAFSA refer to the Unusual Circumstances section.
- For federal aid purposes, a parent means your legal (biological or adoptive) parent or stepparent, or a person that the state has determined to be your legal parent.
- The following people are never considered your parents on the FAFSA unless they have legally adopted you: Widowed Stepparent, grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, older brothers or sisters, aunts or uncles.
Use the chart below to figure out which parent’s information to include (depending on your family situation).
| Question | Next step |
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Yes: Your parents’ marital status is married (not separated), and both of your parents’ information must be included on the FAFSA® form. If your parents did not file taxes jointly, then both of your parents are contributors. Their individual information, consent and approval, and signatures will be required on the FAFSA form. If your parents filed taxes jointly, only one parent is required as a contributor and will report information for both parents. No then answer question 2] |
| 2. Do your biological or adoptive parents live together? |
YES, your parent’s marital status is unmarried (both legal parents living together), and both of your parents are contributors, even if they were never married, are divorced, or are separated. Their individual information, consent, and signatures will be required on the FAFSA. NO, then answer question 3. |
| 3. Did one parent provide more financial support than the other over the past 12 months? |
YES, then the individual information, consent, and signature of the parent who provided more financial support over the past 12 months will be required on the FAFSA, and this parent will be identified as a contributor. NO, then the individual information, consent, and signature of the parent who has the greater income and assets will be required on the FAFSA, and this parent will be identified as a contributor. |
| 4. Has this parent married/remarried? |
YES, your parent’s marital status is married/remarried. Your stepparent will also be identified as a contributor on the FAFSA if they didn’t file their taxes jointly with your parent. NO, your parent’s marital status is single (never married), separated, divorced, or widowed. An additional parent will not be identified as a contributor. |
If you’re not sure whom to report as a parent, you can visit Reporting Parent Information or call the Financial Aid Office at (716) 878-4902.