Maintained for Historical Purposes

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

Section E "Household Information"

AwardYear: 1997-1998
Edition: PostSecondary
Part: 3 - - Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
SectionNumber:
SectionTitle: Section E "Household Information"

PageNumbers: 65-66


Section E "Household Information"

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 one-half of their support from the
applicant's household between July 1, 1997 and June 30, 1998;

- the student's unborn child, if that child will be born
before or during the award year and the applicant's household will
provide more than one-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 one-half of their support from the applicant's household at the
time of application and will continue to receive that support for the
entire 1997-98 award year (July 1, 1997 through June 30, 1998).

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, 1997 and June 30, 1998 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, 1997 and June 30, 1998 (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, 1997 through June 30, 1998) and the student's
parent(s) 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
1997-98 award year (July 1, 1997 through June 30, 1998).

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, in 1997-98, are or will be enrolled in a postsecondary school
for at least 6 credit hours in at least one term, or for at least 12 clock
hours per week, even if the student does not complete a term. To be
counted, these persons 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.