A parent means your legal (biological or adoptive) parent or a person that the state has determined to be your legal parent. A stepparent is considered a parent if they have adopted you. Stepparents who have not adopted you will be identified as a parent spouse.

[Question 1] Are your biological or adoptive parents married to each other?

[Yes] Your parents’ marital status is married (not separated), and both of your parents’ information must be included on the FAFSA® form. If your parents did not file taxes jointly, then both of your parents are contributors. Their individual information, consent and approval, and signatures will be required on the FAFSA form. If your parents filed taxes jointly, only one parent is required as a contributor and will report information for both parents.

[No, then answer question 2]

[Question 2] Do your biological or adoptive parents live together?

[Yes] Your parents’ marital status is unmarried (both legal parents living together), and both of your parents are contributors, even if they were never married, are divorced, or are separated. Their individual information, consent and approval, and signatures will be required on the FAFSA form.

[No, then answer question 3]

[Question 3] Did one parent provide more financial support than the other over the past 12 months?

[Yes] The individual information, consent and approval, and signature of the parent who provided more financial support over the past 12 months will be required on the FAFSA form, and this parent will be identified as a contributor.

[No] The individual information, consent and approval, and signature of the parent who has the greater income and assets will be required on the FAFSA form, and this parent will be identified as a contributor.

[Question 4] Has this parent married/remarried?

[Yes] Your parent’s marital status is married/remarried. Your stepparent will also be identified as a contributor on the FAFSA form if they didn’t file their taxes jointly with your parent.

[No] Your parent’s marital status is single (never married), separated, divorced, or widowed. An additional parent will not be identified as a contributor.

Note: Dependent students are required to report parent information on the FAFSA form, and in most cases, a parent will be identified as a contributor for these students. All contributors are required to provide their information, signature, and consent and approval to have their federal tax information transferred directly from the IRS into the FAFSA form. Being a contributor on the FAFSA form does not mean an obligation to pay for the student’s education.

September 2023