What's the deal with stepparent income for FAFSA?

Hi all! I'm in the middle of filling out the FAFSA and I'm a little confused about whether my stepparent's income needs to be included. My parent remarried, and I'm not sure how that affects my financial aid application. Do I have to count any income my stepparent earns when reporting household income? I've heard different things and want to make sure I submit everything correctly. If any of you have been in a similar situation, how did you handle it?

Sure, I can clarify that for you. When you're filling out the FAFSA, you are required to report your custodial parent's income, that is, the parent you lived with the most during the past 12 months. Along with the custodial parent, if they are remarried, you'll also need to include your stepparent's income and assets, even if they aren't planning to help pay for your education.

The FAFSA does not distinguish between your natural parent and your stepparent which can result in a significant increase in your Student Aid Index (SAI). This number is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid, and a higher SAI generally means a lower financial aid package.

It's important to mention that your stepparent's responsibility is assessed in the application year and does not extend beyond that if your custodial parent and stepparent were to divorce in the future. So, in case of future changes, the FAFSA would need to be updated accordingly.

Remember that accuracy is key on your FAFSA. Any form of incorrect information knowingly or unknowingly could lead to penalties or a delay in receiving aid. If you're unsure of anything, it's best to seek guidance from your school's financial aid office or a trusted adult.