| AwardYear: 1996-1997 Edition: PostSecondary Part: 3 - - Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid SectionNumber: SectionTitle: Section E "Household Information" PageNumbers: 70-71 PURPOSE: The number of family members reported in Section E determines the income protection allowance that will be subtracted from the family's income to account for basic living expenses. The number of family members in college directly affects the family's ability to contribute to the student's education costs. The student's EFC is divided by the number of family members in college. HOUSEHOLD SIZE The following persons may be included in the household size of an INDEPENDENT student: - the STUDENT; - the STUDENT'S SPOUSE, excluding a spouse not living in the household as a result of death, separation, or divorce; - the STUDENT'S DEPENDENT CHILDREN, if they received or will receive more than half of their support from the student and/or a member of the student's household, such as the student's spouse, between July 1, 1996 and June 30, 1997; - the STUDENT'S UNBORN CHILD, if that child will be born before or during the award year and the student and/or a member of 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 (if there is a medical determination of a multiple birth, then all expected children can be included); and - OTHER PERSONS, if they live with the student and receive more than half of their support from the student and/or a member of the student's household at the time of application and will continue to receive that support for the entire 1996-97 award year (July 1, 1996 through June 30, 1997). The following persons may be included in the household size of a DEPENDENT student's parents: - the STUDENT (even if the student does not live with the parents); - the STUDENT'S PARENT(s), excluding a parent not living in the household as a result of death, separation, or divorce; - 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, 1996 and June 30, 1997 or if they would be required to report parental information on the FAFSA; - 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, 1996 and June 30, 1997 (even if the children do not live with the student's parents, they must be counted if they meet this criteria); - the student's parents' UNBORN CHILD and/or the student's unborn child, if that child will be born before or during the award year (July 1, 1996 through June 30, 1997) 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 (if there is a medical determination of a multiple birth, then all expected children can be included); and - OTHER PERSONS, if they live with AND receive more than 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 1996-97 award year (July 1, 1996 through June 30, 1997). For the purpose of including children in the household size of a dependent student or an independent student, the "support" test is used (rather than a residency requirement) because there may be situations in which a parent supports a child who does not live with him or her, 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 his or her 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. Remember that financial information for a stepparent must be reported on the form, and that the stepparent must be included in household size. NUMBER IN COLLEGE Questions 47 and 52 ask about the number of household members who will be in college during 1996-97. The number in college includes any of those who were included in the household who are enrolling in a postsecondary school for at least 6 credit hours in at least one term, or for at least 12 clock hours per week. To be counted, a parent or other household member must be working toward a degree or certificate leading to a recognized education credential at a postsecondary school that is eligible to participate in any of the federal student aid programs. The applicant should always be included, even if he or she will be enrolled less than half time. |