Which of the following would be a situation where you do NOT have to verify a dependent student's parental information reported on the FAFSA?

• A. Non-custodial parent remarried
• B. The custodial parent lives in a foreign country
• C. The custodial parent has died
• D. The custodial parent has filed for bankruptcy

Answer: (C)

Understanding FAFSA verification hinges on whether the student is considered dependent or independent for that year. For a dependent student, parental information (income, tax details) is reported and then subject to verification. If the custodial parent has died, there’s no longer a living custodial parent to provide or verify that information, so the student does not have parental data to submit or verify. In practice, this moves the student toward independent status for FAFSA purposes, so parental information verification isn’t required for that year.

The other scenarios keep a parental presence relevant. A non-custodial parent who remarries still means you have to report and verify information from the appropriate parent(s). A custodial parent living abroad or one who has filed for bankruptcy can still have their information reported and verified, so those situations don’t exempt you from verification.