Host: How do colleges and universities define a divorced household?
Pete Lawrence of Hauppauge, NY: Colleges and Universities are not interested in the legal status of your marriage. They simply consider if you are separated and if you file separate tax returns. If you can say yes to both of these questions, you are considered a two household family.
Host: Whose information should be included on the FAFSA when there’s a two household family?
Pete Lawrence of Hauppauge, NY: Historically, only the custodial parent filed a FAFSA, the federal application for financial aid. As of the 2024-25 school year, however, whichever parent provided the greater amount of financial support files the FAFSA.
Host: Whose information should be included on the CSS profile when there’s a two household family?
Pete Lawrence of Hauppauge, NY: Many colleges and universities use the CSS profile to determine eligibility for financial aid. Typically both households in a two household family must complete a CSS profile. This is done by each household separately and is usually required in addition to the FAFSA. It is always wise to check the college’s website to verify their financial aid application requirements.
Host: How does a financial aid package relate to an individual couple’s divorce stipulation?
Pete Lawrence of Hauppauge, NY: The federal government and individual colleges and universities each have a methodology to determine a student’s eligibility for financial aid. The FAFSA, CSS Profile and Non-custodial CSS Profile are used to determine eligibility and develop a financial aid package. Regardless of the financial information used in developing this package, the divorce stipulation still governs who is responsible for making these payments. For example, if the father is the greater financial provider for the student but the divorce stipulation says the mother is responsible for college funding then the father’s finances are used to determine eligibility and the aid package but the mother would be responsible for the cash outlay for the tuition.
