Questions 96 and 97 (Independent Students)

If you answered "Yes" to any of the dependency questions (48-60), you will need to respond to both of these questions.

Purpose: The number of family members you report determines the allowance that will be subtracted from your family's income to provide 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. Your EFC is divided by the number of family members in college.

96. 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 will receive more than half of their support from your household from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010



• Your unborn child, if that child will be born before July 1, 2010 and your household will provide more than half of the child's support from the projected date of birth to the end of the 2009-10 award year (June 30, 2010). (If there is a medical determination of a multiple birth, then all expected children can be included.)



• Other people, if they live with you and will receive more than half of their support from your household for the entire award year (July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010)

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 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families [TANF] 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, car payments or expenses, medical and dental care, and payment of college costs.

97. Number of college students in household. Enter the number of people from your household (in question 96) who are or will be enrolled in a post secondary school in 2009-10. Count yourself as a college student. Include others only if they will be attending at least half time during 2009-10 in an approved program that leads to a degree or certificate at a postsecondary school eligible to participate in any of the federal student aid programs.