Maintained for Historical Purposes

This resource is being maintained for historical purposes only and is not currently applicable.

Section F -- "Household Information"

AwardYear: 1994-1995
Edition: High School
Part: 3 - - Filling Out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
SectionNumber:
SectionTitle: Section F -- "Household Information"

PageNumbers: 47-49


Purpose: The number of family members reported in Section F determines the amount of the family size offset and maintenance allowance that will be subtracted from the family’s income to account for basic living expenses. In addition, if more than one family member is in college at the same time, the contribution the family is expected to make for each student is reduced. Family size and marital status also affect the treatment of income and assets in the EFC calculation.


Household Size

The following persons may be included in the household size of the dependentstudent:

1. The student

2. The student’s parent(s), excluding a parent not living in the household as a result of death, separation, or divorce

3. The student’s siblings, if they received or will receive more than half of their support* from the student’s parent(s) between July 1, 1994 and June 30, 1995

4. The student’s children, if they received or will receive more than half of their support from the student’s parent(s) between July 1, 1994 and June 30, 1995

5. The student’s parent’s unborn child and/or the student’s unborn child, if that child will be born before or during the award year (July 1, 1994 through June 30, 1995) and the student’s parents will provide more than half of the child’s support from the projected date of birth until the end of the award year

6. Other persons, if they live with and receive more than one-half of their support from the student’s parent(s) at the time of application and will continue to receive that support for the entire 1994-95 award year (July 1, 1994 through June 30, 1995)

The following persons may be included in the household size of the independent student:

1. The student

2. The student’s spouse, excluding a spouse not living in the household as a result of death, separation, or divorce

3. The student’s dependent children, if they received or will receive more than half of their support from the student’s household between July 1, 1994 and June 30, 1995

4. The student’s unborn child, if that child will be born before or during the award year and the student’s household will provide more than half of the child’s support from the projected date of birth to the end of the award year

5. Other persons, if they live with the student and receive more than one-half of their support from the student’s household at the time of application and will continue to receive that support for the entire 1994-95 award year (July 1, 1994 through June 30, 1995)

For the purpose of including children in household size, the “support” test is used (rather than residency) because there may be situations in which a parent supports a child who does not live with the parent, especially in cases where the parent is divorced or separated. In such cases, the parent who provides more than half of the child’s support may claim the child in household size. If the parent receives benefits (such as Social Security or AFDC payments) in the child’s name, these benefits must be counted as parental support to the child.

Financial information for a stepparent should be reported on the form, and the stepparent should be included in household size.

If a student, spouse or parent is pregnant at the time an application is filed, the expected child may be included in household size. If there is a medical determination that twins are expected, both expected children can be included.

Number in College

The number in college includes all those in the household who are attending a postsecondary educational institution for at least six credit hours in at least one term, or at least 12 clock hours per week. The student should always include himself or herself even if the student will be enrolled for less than half time. To be considered a postsecondary educational institution for this purpose, the institution must be licensed by its state agency or be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.