# Why does the FAFSA (Financial Aid) want my parents' information?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-fafsa-financial-aid-want-my-parents-information/434395>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 21, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-fafsa-financial-aid-want-my-parents-information/434395 "2008-01-21T18:35:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 11\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-fafsa-financial-aid-want-my-parents-information/434395/1 "2008-01-21T18:35:01Z")

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I’m 33 years old, definitely “independent”, and yet:

> [@](#):
>
> Health Profession students must provide parents’ information. Although your parents’ information is required on your application, your parents’ signature is not required.

'Sup with that?

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**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-fafsa-financial-aid-want-my-parents-information/434395/2 "2008-01-21T18:43:57Z")

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No clue. I’ve filled out FAFSAs for myself and for Airman for the past four years, and to date, neither of us has had to provide parent information.

I’m honestly surprised that they’d single out health professions for that, considering the alleged shortfall of medical personnel. Some states, like Pennsylvania, are throwing money left and right to schools and people to enter nursing programs.

Your best bet is to ask the financial aid office. The rule may not apply to older or married students. They may also be required to provide that information to the state so they can qualify for special funding.

But you should ask your financial aid office.

Robin

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**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-fafsa-financial-aid-want-my-parents-information/434395/3 "2008-01-21T18:51:12Z")

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[QUOTE=MsRobyn]  
I’ve filled out FAFSAs for myself and for Airman for the past four years, and to date, neither of us has had to provide parent information.  
[/QUOTE]  
I don’t understand. Did you simply leave it blank and not get in trouble? Exactly what do you mean, that you didn’t have to provide parent information? The reason I ask is that the parent info is a portion of the standard form, and I do not recall anything in the Directions about “you don’t have to fill it in if such-and-such”.

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**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-fafsa-financial-aid-want-my-parents-information/434395/4 "2008-01-21T18:57:50Z")

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I hope you weren’t expecing an explanation other than “that’s what the rules say”:

> [@](#):
>
> Parent income and asset information reported on the FAFSA even if an independent student.  
> Although, all graduate students are considered independent according to the need analysis formula in Title IV of the Higher Education Act institutions still must take parents’ information into account for the purpose of awarding HPSL funds. This requirement cannot be waived. In cases where the parents refuse to provide income information, an affidavit documenting such a refusal cannot be accepted in lieu of the required information. Unless the parents are deceased, a student who does not provide parental income information may not be considered for HPSL funds. (Health Profession Programs: Health Professions Student Loan Chapter 3, Student Awards: Section 1, Student Eligibility Criteria: D. Financial Need: #2 Parent’s Financial Information)

[http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/financial\_aid/loans/healthprof.html#eligibility](http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/financial_aid/loans/healthprof.html#eligibility)

> [@](#):
>
> ```
> 2) PARENTS' FINANCIAL INFORMATION
> 
> ```
> 
> Beginning with the 1993-94 academic year, all graduate students will be considered independent according to the need analysis formula in Title IV of the Higher Education Act. Nonetheless, institutions still must take parents’ information into account for the purpose of awarding HPSL funds. This requirement cannot be waived. In cases where the parents refuse to provide income information, an affidavit documenting such a refusal cannot be accepted in lieu of the required information. Unless the parents are deceased, a student who does not provide parental income information may not be considered for HPSL funds.
> 
> The amount of HPSL funds awarded to a student plus the amount of the student’s expected family contribution–including parents’ contribution–may not exceed the student’s cost of attendance. Note that Department of Education programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act, such as Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loans and Federal College Work-Study, do not require parents’ contribution to determine eligibility for independent students. HPSL, however, requires parents’ contribution for all students without regard to age, tax, marital or independent status. It is possible, therefore, that an independent student’s expected family contribution figure will be lower for determining the amount of a student’s need for these Department of Education Title IV programs than for the HPSL program, because parents’ financial information is not taken into account. For the purpose of awarding HPSL, the Department of Education funds may replace the parents’ contribution for students who meet the Higher Education Act’s independent student definition for Title IV programs. An overaward will not result as long as the total of the independent student’s contribution plus financial aid from all sources and actual other resources does not exceed the cost of attendance.

[http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/dsa/sfag/health\_professions/2hpslcom-02.htm#P304\_22111](http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/dsa/sfag/health_professions/2hpslcom-02.htm#P304_22111)

> [@](#):
>
> TITLE 42–PUBLIC HEALTH
> 
> ```
> CHAPTER I--PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 
> SERVICES
> 
> ```
> 
> PART 57\_GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TEACHING FACILITIES, EDUCATIONAL  
> IMPROVEMENTS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND STUDENT LOANS–Table of Contents
> 
> ```
> Subpart C_Health Professions Student Loans
> 
> ```
> 
> Sec. 57.206 Eligibility and selection of health professions student loan applicants.
> 
> ```
> (a) Determination of eligibility. (1) Applicants are eligible for 
> 
> ```
> 
> consideration for a health professions student loan if they are:  
> (i) Residents of the United States and either a citizen or national  
> of the United States, an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence  
> in the United States, a citizen of the Commonwealth of the Northern  
> Mariana Islands, a citizen of the Republic of Palau, a citizen of the  
> Republic of the Marshall Islands, or a citizen of the Federated States  
> of Micronesia;  
> (ii) Enrolled, or accepted for enrollment in the school as full-time  
> students;  
> (iii) In need of the amount of the loan to pursue a full-time course  
> of study at the school;  
> (iv) Of exceptional financial need in the case of students of  
> medicine or osteopathic medicine. A student will be considered to  
> demonstrate exceptional financial need if the school determines that his  
> or her resources, as described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, do  
> not exceed the lesser of $6,700 or one-half of the costs of attendance  
> at the school. Summer earnings, educational loans, veterans (G.I.)  
> benefits and earnings during the school year will not be considered as  
> resources in determining whether an applicant meets the eligibility  
> criteria for exceptional financial need, but will be considered in  
> determining the amount of funds a student may receive; and  
> (v) In compliance with the requirement to register for the draft, if  
> required to do so under section 3 of the Military Selective Service Act.  
> (2) An applicant who has previously attended an institution of  
> higher education must submit a financial aid transcript which includes  
> at least the following data:  
> (i) Applicant’s name and social security number;  
> (ii) Amounts and sources of loans and grants previously received by  
> the applicant for study at an institution of higher education;  
> (iii) Whether the applicant is in default on any of these loans, or  
> owes a refund on any grants;  
> (iv) Certification from each institution previously attended by the  
> applicant that the applicant has received no financial aid, if  
> applicable; and  
> (v) From each institution previously attended, the signature of an  
> official authorized by the institution to sign such transcripts on  
> behalf of the institution.  
> (b) Selection of applicants. The school will select qualified  
> applicants, including medical (M.D. and D.O.) applicants, and determine  
> the amount of student loans by considering:  
> (1) The financial resources available to the student by using one of  
> the national need analysis systems or any
> 
> [[Page 268]]
> 
> other procedure approved by the Secretary of Education in combination  
> with other information which the school has regarding the student’s  
> financial status. The school must take into account, regardless of the  
> tax status of the student, the expected contribution from parents,  
> spouse, self or other family members; and  
> (2) The costs reasonably necessary for the student’s attendance at  
> the school, including any special needs and obligations which directly  
> affect the student’s ability to attend the school on a full-time basis.  
> The school must document the criteria used for determining these costs.  
> (c) Selection of medical (M.D. and D.O.) student applicants. In  
> addition to the factors in Sec. 57.206(b), the school must select  
> medical (M.D. and D.O.) students graduating after June 30, 1979, based  
> on the order of greatest need, taking into consideration the other  
> resources available to the student through the school. For purposes of  
> establishing priority for selecting medical (M.D. and D.O.) student  
> applicants to receive health professions student loans, summer earnings,  
> educational loans, veterans (G.I.) benefits, and earnings during the  
> school year will be considered as financial resources.  
> (d) Verification of loan information. The school must verify, to the  
> best of its ability, the information provided by the student on the loan  
> application. To comply with this requirement, a school may require that  
> a student provide, for example: Photocopies of the parents’, student’s,  
> and spouse’s Federal income tax forms with original signatures for the  
> most recent tax year (or certification that no Federal income tax return  
> was filed); tax returns that are certified as having been received by  
> the Internal Revenue Service; or other documentation that the school  
> considers necessary to help assure that information on the loan  
> application is correct.
> 
> (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number  
> 0915-0047)
> 
> [44 FR 32698, June 7, 1979, as amended at 48 FR 25069, June 3, 1983; 49  
> FR 38112, Sept. 27, 1984; 52 FR 20987, June 3, 1987; 53 FR 46549, Nov.

[http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/16nov20071500/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr\_2007/octqtr/42cfr57.206.htm](http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/16nov20071500/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2007/octqtr/42cfr57.206.htm)

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**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-fafsa-financial-aid-want-my-parents-information/434395/5 "2008-01-21T19:01:00Z")

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If you’re submitting it online (which I advise), refer to [this](http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/fotw0809/WorksheetServlet?wstype=WSDEP&locale=en_US) first. If it determines that you are independent, which it should, you won’t have to include any information about your parents.

Or, perhaps, you can disregard my contribution because it neglected to account for the health-related aspect of the question.

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**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-fafsa-financial-aid-want-my-parents-information/434395/6 "2008-01-21T19:02:24Z")

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[QUOTE=Keeve]  
I don’t understand. Did you simply leave it blank and not get in trouble? Exactly what do you mean, that you didn’t have to provide parent information? The reason I ask is that the parent info is a portion of the standard form, and I do not recall anything in the Directions about “you don’t have to fill it in if such-and-such”.  
[/QUOTE]

We just leave it blank. According to the FAFSA website through the Department of Education, independent students are not required to provide parent information or get a parent’s signature. “Independent” students are those who are married, on active military duty, or who are over 24 years of age regardless of marital or military status.

Robin

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**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-fafsa-financial-aid-want-my-parents-information/434395/7 "2008-01-21T19:04:16Z")

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[QUOTE=Keeve]  
I don’t understand. Did you simply leave it blank and not get in trouble? Exactly what do you mean, that you didn’t have to provide parent information? The reason I ask is that the parent info is a portion of the standard form, and I do not recall anything in the Directions about “you don’t have to fill it in if such-and-such”.  
[/QUOTE]

You only have to provide parents’ income information if:

1. You are dependent; or

2. You are applying for a special program that requires it.

> [@](#):
>
> Do I have to use my parent’s income when I file?  
> The Department of Education defines which students are considered “dependent” and which students are considered “independent” by using the seven questions in Step Three of the FAFSA. If you answer “no” to all seven questions, you are considered “dependent” and must use your parents’ income information. Even though you may not receive support from your parents, the Department of Education still sees parents as being primarily responsible for their child’s education. Although your parents cannot be required to assist you financially with your education, their income is required when determining your eligibility for financial aid.

[http://www.lsc.edu/financialaid/faqs/CompleteFAFSA.cfm](http://www.lsc.edu/financialaid/faqs/CompleteFAFSA.cfm)

> [@](#):
>
> The Department of Education uses a very rigid set of criteria for determining whether a student is INDEPENDENT for financial aid consideration (which means that the custodial parents’ income and asset information is not considered in determining a student’s financial aid, and therefore not required on the FAFSA).  
> Regardless of how much support a student actually receives from his or her parents, he or she is still considered a DEPENDENT student for financial aid purposes UNLESS at least one of the following criteria is met:
> 
> 1. For the 2007-2008 school year, the student was born before 1-1-1984; or
> 2. the student is married; or
> 3. the student has a child or children who receive more than half their support from the student; or
> 4. the student has dependents (other than a child or spouse) who receive more than half their support from the student, and who also live with the student; or
> 5. the student is enrolled as a graduate or professional student (pursuing a master’s degree or doctoral degree); or
> 6. the student is a qualified veteran of the U.S. military, or currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training; or
> 7. the student is an orphan (both parents deceased) or ward of the court or was a ward of the court until age 18; or
> 8. the student has special and unusual extenuating circumstances that can be documented for his or her college financial aid administrators, who may then request a “dependency override” on the FAFSA application. (Note: Exceptions are granted very rarely and only in extreme cases.) Students should contact the financial aid office at the school they will be attending for additional information.
> 
> IMPORTANT:  
> Many students feel that they should be able to declare INDEPENDENT status because they live on their own, file their own taxes, or receive no support from their parents. Unfortunately, the Department of Education is extremely strict with regard to determining dependency status.
> 
> If you are considered a DEPENDENT student (do not meet the criteria listed above) and do not provide your parents’ information on your FAFSA, your application WILL BE REJECTED.

[http://www.fafsa.com/Forms/Ajax/FAFSA/frmdependencydetails.aspx?rf=;pku3at=aa001001:d72-02%609a~0d!-d@34#b-$48%61^-&5](http://www.fafsa.com/Forms/Ajax/FAFSA/frmdependencydetails.aspx?rf=;pku3at=aa001001:d72-02%609a~0d!-d@34#b-$48%61%5E-&5)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-fafsa-financial-aid-want-my-parents-information/434395/8 "2008-01-21T19:04:38Z")

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According to **GFactor** , I was sort of right the first time. The school is requiring that information in order to obtain funding under a federal program for health professions. They may not be able to grant a waiver or exception, but you can still talk to them if getting your parents’ information is a problem.

Robin

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**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-fafsa-financial-aid-want-my-parents-information/434395/9 "2008-01-21T19:54:36Z")

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[QUOTE=Gfactor]  
I hope you weren’t expecing an explanation other than “that’s what the rules say”

[/QUOTE]

Heh.

No, I was hoping for an explanation like, “‘Cause there’s this program called Health Professions Student Loan which the FAFSA determines your eligibility for, and \*they \*require your parents’ info, even though other FAFSA grants may not.”

But I gleaned that from your answer, so thanks.

I know NOTHING about HPSL, never heard of it ‘till now. Luckily, I’m not technically in the Health (Nursing) program yet - this year is just prerequisites. So I don’t need my parents’ info this year, although next year is a different story. I hope, anyway! If I don’t get \*into \*nursing school, it’s all beside the point.

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**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-fafsa-financial-aid-want-my-parents-information/434395/10 "2008-01-21T20:16:05Z")

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[QUOTE=WhyNot]  
No, I was hoping for an explanation like, “‘Cause there’s this program called Health Professions Student Loan which the FAFSA determines your eligibility for, and \*they \*require your parents’ info, even though other FAFSA grants may not.”  
[/QUOTE]  
Yeah. That’s the ticket. I’d actually come back to post something more like that  
There may be other forms of financial aid available for your program that don’t require this information. I’ve got no idea about that. But the hamsters stopped me.

> [@](#):
>
> But I gleaned that from your answer, so thanks.

My pleasure.

> [@](#):
>
> I know NOTHING about HPSL, never heard of it ‘till now. Luckily, I’m not technically in the Health (Nursing) program yet - this year is just prerequisites. So I don’t need my parents’ info this year, although next year is a different story. I hope, anyway! If I don’t get \*into \*nursing school, it’s all beside the point.

Good luck.

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**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-fafsa-financial-aid-want-my-parents-information/434395/11 "2008-01-21T20:20:25Z")

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[QUOTE=Gfactor]  
There may be other forms of financial aid available for your program that don’t require this information. I’ve got no idea about that. But the hamsters stopped me.  
[/QUOTE]

Yeah, the hamsters are getting squirrely, aren’t they?

> [@](#):
>
> Good luck.

Thanks! I’ll take all the luck I can get! The program I want to get into is lottery based, not merit based. (Ugh!) 1 out of 3 applicants get in, so yeah, I need all the luck I can dredge up!