Does the FAFSA Require Both Parents to Sign?
Navigate FAFSA signature requirements for parents. Learn who signs, when it's needed, and how to handle diverse family situations for student financial aid.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines a student’s eligibility for various forms of federal student aid, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. Completing the FAFSA is a crucial step in accessing federal, state, and institutional financial resources to help cover college costs. The information provided on this form helps calculate a student’s Student Aid Index (SAI), which indicates the amount a family is expected to contribute towards educational expenses.
Identifying Parents for FAFSA
Determining who qualifies as a “parent” for FAFSA purposes is distinct from common definitions or tax dependency. A legal parent includes a biological or adoptive parent, or an individual a state has determined to be a legal parent. Grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, older siblings, or aunts and uncles are not considered parents for FAFSA unless they have legally adopted the student.
When parents are married and living together, or are unmarried but living together, financial information from both parents must be reported on the FAFSA. If parents are divorced or separated and do not live together, the FAFSA requires information from the parent who provided more financial support to the student during the last 12 months. Should both parents have provided equal support, or no financial support, the parent with the greater income and assets should be reported.
A stepparent is included as a parent on the FAFSA if they are married to the biological or adoptive parent whose information is being reported. If a parent is widowed, the surviving parent’s information is required.
When Parental Signatures Are Required
Parental signatures are necessary on the FAFSA when a student is considered dependent for federal student aid purposes, requiring their parents to provide financial information and a signature. For instance, if both parents are married and living together, both typically need to sign. In cases of divorce or separation, the parent identified as the primary financial supporter (and their current spouse, if remarried) must sign the form. Without the required parental signatures, the FAFSA application will not be fully processed, and the student may not be eligible for federal student aid.
Conversely, if a student is classified as independent, parental signatures are not required. A student is generally considered independent if they meet specific criteria, such as:
- Being age 24 or older by December 31 of the award year
- Being married
- Being a veteran
- Serving on active duty for non-training purposes
- Having legal dependents
- Being an orphan
- Being a ward of the court
- Being an emancipated minor
Submitting Parental Information and Signatures
Parents contributing to a student’s FAFSA must obtain a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID to provide their electronic signature. Each parent requires their own unique FSA ID. This ID serves as a legal signature and is used to access various federal student aid websites, including the FAFSA.
It is advisable for parents to create their FSA ID at least three business days before starting the FAFSA, as the information needs verification. While each parent needs a distinct FSA ID, a parent can use the same FSA ID for multiple children applying for aid. The FSA ID is essential for electronically signing the FAFSA online.
To electronically sign, the parent logs into StudentAid.gov, navigates to the FAFSA submission from their dashboard, and selects the option to provide a signature. If electronic submission is not feasible, a paper signature page can be printed, signed, and mailed.
Addressing Unique Parental Situations
Situations where a parent is unwilling to provide their information or sign the FAFSA can pose challenges for dependent students. If parents refuse to contribute their information, a student can submit the FAFSA without it, but this typically limits eligibility to only Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Federal Pell Grants and other forms of federal aid usually require parental data for dependent students. The financial aid office at the student’s chosen institution may require a written statement from the parent indicating their refusal. It is important to understand that a parent’s unwillingness to provide information does not automatically change a student’s dependency status.
In instances where a parent is deceased, their financial information should not be reported on the FAFSA. If one parent is deceased, the surviving legal parent must provide their information. If both parents are deceased, the student is generally considered independent for FAFSA purposes. Students in such circumstances should contact their college’s financial aid office and provide any necessary documentation, such as a death certificate.
For students whose parents’ whereabouts are unknown or who face other unusual circumstances preventing them from contacting their parents, the FAFSA allows for provisional independent status. Students can indicate these “unusual circumstances” on the application. After submitting the FAFSA, the student must contact the financial aid office at their prospective college. The financial aid office will then determine if a dependency override is appropriate and may request supporting documentation from a third party, such as a counselor, social worker, or clergy member, to confirm the situation.