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Back to FAFSA® Guide 2025-26
How to answer FASFA® questions about the parent’s household
Here’s a guide to help you correctly fill in FAFSA® questions about your family and any federal benefits you may have received.
Family size
Why do they need this info?
- The FAFSA® factors in your family size when calculating your student’s Student Aid Index (SAI).
- The SAI is the number schools will use to determine how much financial aid your student will need.
- The SAI will also be used to see if your student qualifies for a Federal Pell Grant.
Can I skip this question?
No
What else should I know?
Unless you select yes, the FAFSA® will automatically use the number of individuals you claimed on your 2023 tax return.
How to answer this question
- List the number of people living in your household. Include yourself, your spouse, and your dependent children—even if the children live away at college.
- Also include any other people (such as your own parent or someone else’s child) who live with you and will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.
Number in college
Why do they need this info?
- Colleges, universities, and state agencies may look at the number of family members in college to figure out your student’s financial need.
Can I skip this question?
No
How to answer this question
- Enter the number of people in your family who will be in college between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.
- Don’t include yourself or the student’s other parent.
What else should I know?
- The number in college is no longer used in calculating your student’s federal Student Aid Index (SAI).
- However, the number might still be used to figure out if your student qualifies for aid from their college.
Federal benefits received
Why do they need this info?
Your student could qualify for additional federal aid available for families who received federal or state assistance benefits.
Can I skip this question?
No
How to answer these questions
- Select the programs you or a family member received benefits from, or check “None of these apply”.
- The TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program may be known under a different name in your state. Call 800-433-3243 to make sure you have the correct name.
What else you should know
Answering these questions will not reduce your eligibility for student aid or federal assistance programs.