If my husband and I are separated but living together, can we file a separate/divorced fafsa status?
105077
No, you are not really separated.
404252
I will "tweak" a student's application in extreme circumstances, but not often. \n\nHere's how it goes...\n\nYour school can adjust your FAFSA (the application for Federal Student Aid funding) under certain circumstances.  However, they are by no means required to -- it's up to them to decide whether the circumstances you describe qualify as exceptions to the already *very* detailed Federal Student Aid regulations.  Their ability to make exceptions to these rules is known as "Professional Judgment," a provision in the regulations that gives your school the power to adjust or override certain FAFSA data in cases where that data does not accurately reflect your situation.  Examples of exceptional circumstances might include...\n\n* If the income/asset information that was reported on the FAFSA does not accurately reflect your earnings/savings for the year in question.  if a parent lost their job (or a lot of income) in mid-2005, their 2005 tax return (on which the 06-07 FAFSA is based) will make them seem as if they earn more than they really do.  Your school could, in this case, use your parents' new income to estimate actual 2006 earnings and correct your FAFSA.\n\n* If someone in your family incurred a great deal of medical expenses not covered by their insurance, your school could take this into consideration, possibly by adjusting your/their assets or investments to reflect the money that was or will be paid out to cover these costs \n\n* If you are technically considered "dependent" according to the FAFSA guidelines, but you can prove that you are *completely* self-supporting (emphasis on "completely"), your school can perform a dependency override to have you classified as "independent" for FSA purposes. Essentially, this means that you will not have to include your parents' information on the FAFSA at all.\n\nI am always willling to take the above information into consideration.  However, even when I have adjusted for these things, often the student's eligibility doesn't change because their EFC doesn't change much.  (Keep in mind that a $5,000 decrease in income doesn't equal a $5,000 decrease in your EFC.)\n\nThere are a lot of expenses that I won't take into consideration.  For example, the FAFSA does not ask applicants about debt at all -- so if your school was to take your debt into consideration, they would have to do so for everyone at their school.  Moreover, when students appeal based on extraordinary living costs, the emphasis needs to be on the basics: rent/mortgage, utilities, transportation, etc.  It is important to know that the federal methodolody (used to calculate the EFC) has *already* left room for many expenses by sheltering a portion of the family's income/assets (through something called the "income protection allowance" and "asset protection allowance"). So, although many parents have additional costs (i.e. a child needs braces, someone's car needs repairs, someone else attends private elementary/secondary school...), these miscellaneous expenses are already accounted for (to a point).   Quite frankly, everyone (inclluding very poor people) has bills, so that doesn't really make for an extraordinary circumstance.\n\nShould you decide to approach, your FA officer, be prepared to not only *talk* about the bills but also provide copies of them.  Your school *must* document any changes that they make to your FAFSA data.  Schools are audited on a very regular basis, and if it is found that they did not follow protocol or "broke the rules," their ability to administed financial aid to future students (including you) could be seriously jeopardized.\n\nEDIT: The CSS Profile is a form that your school can request to help them calculate your eligibility for their *institutional* funding; it can't be used to assess your eligibility for federal aid.  It goes *much* more in dep
381209
First, know that your childen will be eligible for Stafford Loans regardless of whether they show need or not -- this is why the Unsubsidized Stafford loan was created.  Loan limits for this type of fund are increasing, too, beginning with the 07-08 award year.  \n\nBeyond that, if *you* are applying for loans for your children, you wouldn't want to reduce your income at all! PLUS loans, and most private loans are credit-based; your lender will be looking for halfway decent debt-to-income ratio.  In this sense, hiding your income/assets to make your children federally eligible could hurt you when it comes time to borrow privately.\n\nWhat are colleges looking for?  The same thing that the feds are when you file the FAFSA: income (taxable and untaxed) and assets from both student and parent; in-kind support that the student has received; how many other children are in your household and, of those, how many are currently college undergrads, etc...\n\nWhen it comes to additional information, we're looking for anything *else*.  If a parent appeals on the grounds that their income is X and their assets are Y -- and this is the same information that they provided on the FAFSA -- there isn't much new information there.  \n\nThings I will consider as "special circumstances":\n\n* "I lost my job midway through last tax year and my '05 income isn't indicative of what my 06-07 income will be."\n* "I recently got divorced."\n* "During the last tax year, I had a lot of medical bills that weren't covered by my medical insurance."\n\nThings I *won't* consider in an appeal:\n\n* "My other daughter just got married and I had to pay for a costly wedding for her"\n* "I live in X state where the cost of living is much higher than in Y state where your college is"\n* "I have a lot of debt" (yes, debt is certainly grounds for financial hardship, but if we consider your debt, we'd have to consider everyone else's; when the feds are ready, they'll ask the debt question on the FAFSA -- until then, I can't include it)\n* "I [the parent] am in school myself" (So, you used your kids' college savings for yourself?)\n\nAs for tricks...\n\n::sigh:: No Financial Aid administrator likes to hear that people are seeking out "tricks of the trade" or trying to hide income/assets, so any expert who's willing to give them to you isn't very reputable to begin with.  \n\nThat said, if you're curious to see where you might be hardest hit, the first thing you should do is perform your own EFC calculation to see where the contribution comes from.  A good website for this is www.finaid.org's Calculator page, here: http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml  This page is slightly simplified; if you want to perform the actual calculation by hand, you can go here: http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcinformation/attachments/0607EFCFormulaGuideDecFinal.pdf\n\nOnce you do this, look at WHERE your EFC comes from.  Is it assets or income?  Is any of it from the *student*?  Some people don't realize that student income/assets are converted (i.e. held against them/you) at a much higher rate than parent assets/income.  I've had parents ask why their EFC is so high and it turns out that their son had $10,000 in savings bonds, 35% of which was counted towards a single year's EFC. The most well-known "trick," then, is to transfer any student assets into the parents name.  Were these assets in the parents name, only 12% (at most) would be counted towards the EFC.\n\nMost people who fall into the middle class category get burned not by their assets but by their income, because assets are protected (to a point) whereas available income is "counted against you" more more heavily.  There's very little way to hide income, because your school can, at any time, request copies of any information that they
662467
Why don't you want to use the FAFSA?  Even if you don't want federal or state aid (for which the FAFSA is required), most schools and many scholarship organizations require it as proof of your financial need.  Generally, families who don't file the FAFSA (when they are otherwise eligible) get placed in the category of "low-need family" (i.e. we regard them as not needing as much aid, even if this is not the case, simply because they have not chosen to prove otherwise).  If you haven't tried filing the FAFSA before and don't know what your EFC would be, try a simplified version of the formula here:  http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml  Note: Part of the EFC calculation relates to the age of the oldest parent, so if you are relatively older parents, the amount of money reserved for your "income/asset protection allowance" might be higher than you think (in layman's terms, your EFC might be lowered because you are a ittle older than most applicants' parents).\n\nDeadlines for Financial Aid vary by school.  Some schools operate on a "first-come, first-served" basis when it comes to their institutional funding.  It never hurts to ask, though.  \n\nThere are thousands (if not millions) of scholarships out there at any given time and many of them accept appplications on a rolling basis.  try searching any of the many online scholarship databases until you see one (several, ideally) you like and apply:\n\n* http://www.fastweb.com/\n* http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp\n* http://www.scholarships101.com/\n* http://www.srnexpress.com/\n* http://www.scholarships.com/\n* http://services.princetonreview.com/default.asp?RUN=%2Fcollege%2Ffinance%2Fscholar%2FscholInterview%2Easp&RCN=auth&RDN=7&ALD=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eprincetonreview%2Ecom\n* http://www.finaid.org/scholarships\n* http://www.collegeanswer.com/paying/content/pay_free_money.jsp\n\nNote: I've known a handful of families who elect not to file the FAFSA because of non-Financial Aid-related beliefs (one who, for example, was conscientious objector and didn't want his son to be required to register for the Selective Service, which the FAFSA does require).  If this is your situation and you are interested in need-based institutional funding, talk to the school to let them know why you won't be filing.
139372
You can still claim the kids, because they lived with you more during the year, and you supported them. But you can't E-File your return because it will be kick out with the irs because the boys social security has allready been claim on a tax return. So now you will have to mail your return in.\nAnd you will both be audited. And your boyfriend will have to pay the money back. But he still has time to amend his return and get it staighting out.
42780
Do it both ways...jointly and married filing separately and see where you come out better.  You can file either way.  But you actually FILE one way or the other, whichever is best for you. It's worth the time to do the math twice.
857614
In New York state (which is all I know), you can file for child support if you are living apart, even if you are not yet divorced or legally separated.  He will then owe based on the date you filed those papers.  Here you would file in family court for this, unless the divorce papers have already been filed.\n\nIt is much easier to file for things like support and custody in family court, you can do it without a lawyer.  If your divorce is stalled, do it as soon as you can.  It will take some weeks or months to get the money anyway.\n\nCall your family court tomorrow and ask a clerk to tell you.
896333
FAFSA does require tax information.  I would talk to a financial aid representative at the school in which you intend to use your financial aid to get a clarified answer.  It probably depends on the reason why you arent filing for your taxes.
820951
This is a very confusing subject and the laws have recently changed.  I just taught a tax course and we went over this in excruciating detail.  I won't go into all the permutations on who can claim whom.  Instead, I'll stick with your situation.\n\nAssumptions:\n\n1) Aside from you and your boyfriend (whom I assume is not the father of your children), there are no other adults living in the household who are related to either you or the children.\n\n2) Your children lived with you for at least 6 months, but did not live with any other relatives for at least 6 months.\n\n3) You earned less than $3,300 (probably nothing, right?).\n\n4) Your boyfriend paid for over half of your living costs including rent (or the fair value of rent if he owns his home), food eaten in the home, clothing, utilities, and college expenses!\n\n5) You and your children all lived with your boyfriend for the entire year.\n\n6) Your boyfriend paid for over half of the cost of living for each and every kid.\n\nIf all of these are true, your boyfriend will be able to claim all 3 of you as dependents for 2006.  These type of dependents are called "qualifying relatives".  Don't let the term "relative" throw you.  Anyone who lives the whole year with someone can (assuming other things are true) be claimed by them.\n\nSince your children are his "qualifying relatives" and not "qualifying children", your boyfriend will NOT be able to use them to take advantage of the Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, Child Care Credit (daycare), nor Earned Income Credit (EIC).  In addition, regardless what you may have heard, neither you nor your kids allow your boyfriend to file as Head of Household.  Anyone who is NOT related to the taxpayer can NOT qualify them for Head of Household.\n\nNow, if you happen to get married by December 31st, you will both file as Married Filing Jointly, you will be able to claim all the credits, you will get a higher standard deduction, and you will be able to write off college tuition and fees.
27591
Yes you can. It would have to be a joint divorce, with your spouse would probably have to do the filing of the paperwork.
793130
you cant claim the baby legally unless youre married- if she hasnt worked then there is no reason for her to claim him/her- BUT when she lets you use baby as dependent, then you will be claiming that the child lived with you, and so did she and that will show up on her application and YOUR income is considered.\nshe can let you claim , and still get her financial aid...\nif you didnt work, you dont have a reason to file taxes
979804
No. You get divorced wherever you live now and, if you and your spouse are in different states, you can usually file where your spouse is or where you are. It makes absolutely NO DIFFERENCE in how many states you got married (as long as it's to the same spouse, LOL). You're married.
799136
Fafsa should help. Depending on your dependant/independant status, you wouldn't need your mom's income info.
152676
The IRS says you are either married or you're not.  So for their purposes your friend was married at the end of tax year 2005.  However that doesn't mean that he MUST claim his wife, only that the option is available.  The can each file as "Married filing Separately" and each can claim themselves.  It might be better for them to agree to file jointly since they would probably pay less tax that way.  If they aren't on speaking terms this option is most likely out.
380812
So he doesn't have to pay what? The money for buying your share in the home? \n\nDivorceNet.com says: "Basically, the family court will not split up the family home, divide pensions, and apportion any stocks or mutual funds until it receives permission from the Bankruptcy Court."\n\nALSO\n\n". If my husband files for bankruptcy can I still enforce the terms of the divorce judgment?\nThe Bankruptcy Code recently made non-support obligations created in connection with a divorce or separation non-dischargeable in Chapter 7 if the discharge of the obligation would harm the non- debtor spouse more than it would benefit the debtor. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(15)." \n\nFROM  www.uls.state.ut.us: "Can I Get Rid of All My Debts?\nNot always.  A bankruptcy generally will not rid you of debts for child support, taxes, alimony, fines, and many student loans, as well as debts incurred by fraud or malicious injury.  Under some circumstances a debtor can be denied discharge of all his debts as opposed to certain specific debts.  If this happens the primary reason for filing bankruptcy is defeated."\n\nThere is more for you to read at each site listed below. But from what I see he won't be able to stiff you on what he owes you for your part of the house. Make sure you discuss this with your divorce attorney asap! You need to be sure he can't screw you over like this.\n\nI pray you get the money you are due and that he gets a kick where it counts. God Bless!
152939
Yes or no, DEPENDING ON CERTAIN CONDITIONS: \n\n"To qualify for head of household status, you must be either unmarried or considered unmarried on the last day of the year. You are considered unmarried on the last day of the tax year if you meet all the following tests.\n\n1. You file a separate return (defined, earlier, under Joint Return After Separate Returns).\n\n2. You paid more than half the cost of keeping up your home for the tax year.\n\n3. Your spouse did not live in your home during the last 6 months of the tax year. Your spouse is considered to live in your home even if he or she is temporarily absent due to special circumstances. See Temporary absences, later.\n\n4. Your home was the main home of your child, stepchild, or eligible foster child for more than half the year. (See Home of qualifying person, later, for rules applying to a child's birth, death, or temporary absence during the year.)\n\n5. You must be able to claim an exemption for the child. However, you meet this test if you cannot claim the exemption only because the noncustodial parent can claim the child using the rules described later in Children of divorced or separated parents under Qualifying Child or in Support Test for Children of Divorced or Separated Parents under Qualifying Relative. The general rules for claiming an exemption for a dependent are explained later under Exemptions for Dependents."\n\nIf you were considered married for part of the year and lived in a community property state (listed earlier under Married Filing Separately ), special rules may apply in determining your income and expenses. See Publication 555 for more information.
511585
You are automatically considered independent if...\n\n* you are 24 or older\n* you are married\n* you have dependents other than a spouse\n* you are a veteran of the US armed forces\n* you are an orphan or ward of the court\n* you are pursuing an advanced degree\n* you have a prior bachelor's degree\n\nHowever, you can "appeal" to be considered independent at any age. Schools know that there are cases in which a "technically" dependent student is really independent. There ARE provisions in the Federal Student Aid regulations that allow for a SCHOOL (not you yourself) to make exceptions to a student's depdendency status. Most schools will make exceptions in cases of abuse or the death of the students' parents. Many schools will also make exceptions if you can document that you truly are completely self-suffient. You will need to submit proof that the following statements have been true of your situation for a while (usually about 2 years)... \n\n* your parents don't claim you on their tax return\n* you pay for your own housing, food, utilities, etc.\n* you pay for your own health insurance\n* you pay for your own transportation (and, if you have a car, the car insurance)\n* you don't receive any other in-kind support\n\nIf you think you can submit this information, give your school a call and ask them what their specific policy is. They should have one in place and you have every right to know what it is.\n\nRemember: if you submit fraudulent information your school can deny you aid and you may be subject to other penalties. And remember that covering your tracks doesn't simply stop at your tax return: your school's financial aid office can request just about anything if it believes that it has received conflicting information.\n\nYour school has a reason to be picky when it comes to these things: Financial Aid offices are subject to annual audits. If their auditors pull your file and notice that undocumented exceptions to your dependency status have been made, their ability to give financial aid (to anyone, including you) can be seriously jeopardized.