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My parents are divoriced but still live together and my dad also married someone else. So I guess I have 3 parents living with me...? I'm my dad's dependant, and he and my stepmother file their taxes together, so does that mean I'm both of their dependants? On the FAFSA form, it has space to put 2 parents. If I put my dad and stepmom, their income is $30,000, but then if i put my dad and mom, it's $43,000. I guess I'm supposed to use the step mom, right, and my mom's incom would go unreported?

By Massdad (Massdad) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 11:33 pm: Edit

Why don't you call the fin aid office at a school where you're applying? They should be able to give you correct advice. I'm sure they've dealt with this problem before. I would be very surprised if they were anything but helpful.

If you do call, please post what they advise, OK?

By Somedaysoon (Somedaysoon) on Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 04:36 pm: Edit

Be realistic.

Your mom contributes.
Your dad contributes.
Your stepmom contributes.

Oh, does this seem unfair? Look:

Mom and Dad - This is a given. Divorce does not resolve a parent's responsibilities to the child.
Your parents divorced EACH OTHER - NOT YOU. Simply put, theyre both still accountable for you till you're 18 (legally) and forever (ethically).

Step parent - When you marry someone, you marry into their child's life. You can't pick and choose the good elements from the bad. "Hm, I love you George. I'll take your million dollar smile... but ditch the snoring, the dog, the way you mispronounce "crayon", and your OCD tendancies." No. You have to take it all.

Simply put, when you make a committment to a child by MAKING IT or MARRY INTO ITS FAMILY, it's forever.

Don't take away the financial aid from the really needy people just because your parents don't feel like paying.