Does this have any effect on college admissions?Answered
On the common app it asks for parent information. My biological mother passed away many years ago and I’ve been living my dad and his girlfriend for about the last 8. This girlfriend is not legally married to my dad, but is a guardian to me. Should I report that I have a stepparent, or that I live in a single-parent household?
My parents/ dad and his partner believe that reporting a single parent environment will make me appear less privileged and potentially be a small boost for me, but I’ve never heard of it making any bit of a difference. Is there any merit to their claim? Ultimately, I’d just like to do what’s accurate.
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1 answer
Hi @Anonymous110
Thanks for the question.
When you apply to college, not only will you have to fill out the Common App, Coalition App, or some other State School App if you are applying to a State school, but you will be required to fill out the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
The college application will not give you an admissions boost because you come from a single-parent household because let's face it, if one could "game" the family makeup to gain admissions into colleges, they would in this hyper-competitive environment. So I personally do not think this is a smart move. Why? Because if it is inconsistent with how your family fills out the FAFSA and CSS profile, it could bite you in the butt.
If you are applying for financial aid or merit scholarships from the college, you are going to have to fill out the FAFSA and CSS Profile. These incredibly lengthy forms that require your parents to submit their TAX records, and list out all their assets, trusts, and other property as well as whatever you personally own in order to determine whether or not you qualify for any federal, or state grants. The CSS profile determines your eligibility for any institutional grants or loans or merit scholarships.
Since you and your family have to sign these documents as being truthful and accurate and have your tax information attached to them, it's incredibly important that whatever you use on your FAFSA and CSS profile forms is consistent with your College Application.
So if your step-mom/legal guardian is going to be on the FAFSA and CSS Profile as a viable member of your family household, then they also should be on your college application as well.
Beginning October 1, the FAFSA and CSS profile forms will be available to start filling out so I would recommend that you refrain from doing anything before fully downloading them and reviewing them with your family. Once you know what the status of including or not including your step-mom/legal guardian is, you will know how to complete the college application.
Good luck.
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