Change in Status
Separated or Widowed
If you or your parents were separated or widowed during the academic year, and you or your parents are single now, the tax information needs to be separated from the spouse's tax information as if you or your parents filed a single return.
Marriage
Federal guidelines do not allow students to update marital status in the middle of an academic awarding year (January to June of the following year). When you file the FAFSA as a single person, you must wait until you file the FAFSA for the next year to indicate that you are married. If your marital status has changed from married to single since the time your application was initially filed, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid for assistance. If you are married before the FAFSA is filed, the income and assets of both husband and wife must be reported, even if you have never filed a joint tax return.
Had a Child
If the child is living with you and you are providing 50% more of the child's support, you must make corrections on the FAFSA indicating you now have a dependent. To edit the FAFSA you have two options:
- Edit your Student Aid Report (SAR)
- Edit your FAFSA
If you have extra childcare expenses that your financial aid may not cover, you should meet with a counselor at OSFA to revise your expense budget. The financial aid office may ask you to provide proof that you now have a dependent. Please keep in mind that if you have been awarded the maximum amount of financial aid in all available programs, you will not be awarded additional aid through the financial aid office, but may pursue a private loan.
