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Back to FAFSA® Guide 2027-28

How to answer basic questions about the other parent on the FAFSA®

FAFSA® asks the other parent of a dependent student for identity and contact details, including their legal name, date of birth, SSN or ITIN, phone number, email, and permanent mailing address. This information is required to help determine the student’s eligibility for financial aid.

Annoucement

Other parent identity and contact information

 

Why do they need this info?

  • As the other parent of a dependent student, you need to provide financial and other info in the FAFSA® for the student to be considered for financial aid.

Can I skip these questions?

You can’t skip if your student is dependent. All of the following statements must be true for them to be considered dependent:

  • The student was born after the year 2003.
  • The student’s current marital status is Single (never married), Divorced, Separated or Widowed. (question 3 on the FAFSA® paper version)
  • The student’s college grade level will be first-year, second-year, or other undergraduate. (question 4 on the FAFSA® paper version)
  • They answered “None of these apply” to the Student Personal Circumstances question. (question 5 on the FAFSA® paper version).
  • They answered no to the Student Other Circumstances and Student Unusual Circumstances questions (questions 6 and 7 on the FAFSA® paper version).

If any of the statements are not true, your student is independent, and other parent info is not required from you.

How to answer these questions

  • Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card.
  • Enter your Social Security number and date of birth.
  • You only need to enter an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) if you do not have a Social Security number.
  • Provide a mobile number where you can be most easily reached. Don’t enter dashes.
  • Enter your permanent home/mailing address.

42 Other Parent Identity Information

The other parent’s full name exactly as it appears on their Social Security card.

  • First name
  • Middle name
  • Last name
  • Suffix
  • Date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY)
  • Social Security number (SSN)
  • Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

Enter the parent’s ITIN if they don’t have an SSN

43 Other Parent Contact Information

  • Mobile phone number
  • Email address
  • Permanent mailing address
  • City
  • State
  • ZIP code
  • Country

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FAFSA® is a registered service mark of U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid.