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FAQ

What if my parents are divorced/separated? Which parent provides the majority of my financial support?

If your parents are divorced or separated, you will be asked on the application who provides the majority of your financial support. Typically, the parent that selects that they provide more than half of the student’s financial support is the primary custodial parent. 

If support is split evenly between households, select the parent with the higher income and assets. If a student has two parents/households completing the CSS Profile, keep in mind that only one parent or household will select that they provide more than half of the student’s financial support. It will delay processing if more than one parent selects that they provide more than half of the student’s support. 

For US citizens and permanent residents: The parent who completed or will complete the FAFSA should be the same parent as the one selected on the CSS Profile as providing more than half of the student’s financial support. See the FAFSA site for more information.