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Renewal FAFSAs

The number of family members you report determines the allowance that will be subtracted from your family's income to account for basic living expenses when the Department's processor calculates your EFC. The number of family members in college directly affects your family's ability to contribute to your education costs. EFC is divided by the number of family members in college. You should only complete this step if you answered "yes" to any of the questions in Step 3.

Question 86 Number in Student's (and Spouse's) Household - The following persons are included in the household size of an independent student:

• you;
• your spouse, excluding a spouse not living in the household as a result of death, separation, or divorce;
• your children, if they received or will receive more than half of their support from your household between July 1, 2000 and June 30, 2001;
• your unborn child, if that child will be born before or during the award year and your 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 you and receive more than half of their support from your household at the time of application and will continue to receive that support for the entire 2000-2001 award year (July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001).

To determine whether to include children in your household size, the "support" test is used (rather than a residency requirement) because there may be situations in which you support a child who does not live with you, especially in cases of divorce or separation. 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. It does not matter which parent claims the child as a dependent for tax purposes. If you receive benefits (such as Social Security or AFDC payments) in the child's name, these benefits must be counted as parental support to the child.

Support includes money, gifts, loans, housing, food, clothes, cars, medical and dental care, payment of college costs, etc.

Question 87 Number of College Students in Household - This question asks about the number of household members who, in 2000-2001, are or will be enrolled in a postsecondary school. Do not include your parents. To be counted, the enrolled household member (excluding your parents) must be attending at least half time and working toward a degree or certificate leading to a recognized education credential at a postsecondary school eligible to participate in any of the federal student aid programs. You (the student applying for aid) should always be included even if you are enrolled less than half time.

Courtesy of: "Completing the 2000-2001 FAFSA," from the U.S. Department of Education