Custodial Parent Rules for Financial Aid: How FAFSA and CSS Profile Differ

When families start the financial aid process, one of the first (and most confusing) questions that comes up is, “Which parent’s information do we need to include?”

For students whose parents are separated, divorced, or never married, the answer depends on which financial aid application they’re completing and how that form uses the term custodial parent. Getting this right early helps avoid unnecessary stress, corrections, and delays.

Below, we outline what custodial parent means in financial aid and how the FAFSA and CSS Profile differ in their requirements for custodial and non-custodial parents.

What Custodial Parent Means in Financial Aid

In financial aid, the custodial parent is the parent whose household information, income, and assets are used on the student’s application. It does not necessarily match:

• Legal custody
• Tax dependency
• Where the student lives

The definition of custodial parent is consistent across aid applications. What does change is which application requires information from just the custodial parent versus both parents. For the FAFSA, only the custodial parent’s information is reported. For the CSS Profile, both custodial and non-custodial parent information is reported. Examples of financial contributions that must be considered when designating the custodial parent include but are not limited to:

• Housing and utilities
• Food and clothing
• Health insurance
• Transportation
• Educational expenses
• Any other monetary support

The parent who contributes more money towards the student’s expenses is designated as custodial parent. If both parents contribute the same amount, then the student would designate the custodial parent based on whichever parent has the higher income and assets. If the custodial parent is remarried or living with another adult, that spouse or partner’s income and assets must also be included on the financial aid application. 

Let's look at an example: 

• Parent A pays rent, utilities, and health insurance.
• Parent A lives with a significant other. 
• Parent B buys clothing and some groceries.
• The student lives with Parent B and Parent B claims the student on taxes.

In this scenario, Parent A is the custodial parent because they contribute more financially. Because Parent A is the custodial parent, the significant other's income and assets also need to be reported. On the FAFSA, only Parent A (and their spouse/partner, if applicable) is reported.

The CSS Profile also recognizes the custodial parent, but the application works differently. Most schools using the CSS Profile require financial information from both the custodial and noncustodial parent, regardless of who provides more financial support. This gives institutions a more complete picture of a family’s financial resources. Some colleges may waive the noncustodial parent requirement in circumstances such as:

• Estrangement or no contact
• Safety concerns or documented abuse
• Legal limitations on communication
• Other significant circumstances

Each school sets its own criteria, so families should confirm waiver policies directly with the institution. 

Understanding who qualifies as the custodial parent helps families complete financial aid forms accurately and avoid delays in processing. When in doubt, focus on which parent provides more financial support, not on legal or tax arrangements. If your situation is complex or you’re unsure how your family fits these guidelines, financial aid offices can help clarify before you submit your applications.