Applying For Financial Aid Who Qualifies as a Parent for FAFSA Purposes? Written by Shannon Vasconceloson October 8th, 2021 I came to College Coach with close to 10 years of experience in college financial aid offices. I began my career at Boston University, where I counseled students and their parents on the financial aid process and reviewed undergraduate financial aid applications. At Tufts University, where I served as assistant director of financial aid, I developed expertise in the field of health professions financial aid. I was responsible for financial aid application review, grant awarding and loan processing, and college financing and debt management counseling for both pre- and post-doctoral dental students. I have also served as an active member of the Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrator’s Early Awareness and Outreach Committee, coordinating early college awareness activities for middle school students; as a trainer for the Department of Education’s National Training for Counselors and Mentors, educating high school guidance counselors on the financial aid process; and as a volunteer for FAFSA Day Massachusetts, aiding students and parents with the completion of online financial aid applications. Learn More About Shannon fafsa, financial aid, financial aid application, css profile, The financial aid season officially kicked off on October 1 and many families are busy completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile. We will be running some of the most popular posts from our Financial Aid Forms Tips Series over the next few months to help families successfully navigate this process. The FAFSA asks for the financial information of the student and their custodial parent(s). Watch the full video, by finance expert Shannon Vasconcelos, to find out whose information you need to include if your parents are divorced, separated, never married or share custody. Visit our website to learn more about the college financial aid process. Access our full playlists of FAFSA and Profile tips on the Bright Horizons College Coach Facebook page or YouTube channel. Work with our college finance experts to help you determine the best way to pay for college. Find Out More Related Resources Read | Posted on April 14th, 2025 Financial Aid Tips In The Waitlist Process Read | Posted on March 28th, 2025 How to Read a Financial Aid Award Read | Posted on January 14th, 2025 Four Reasons to Complete a FAFSA (or not)
