Current Financial Aid laws make it mandatory for custodial parents to report a step parents income no matter how long the marriage has existed. The family contribution amount often increases taking away some or all financial aid for the student. These laws should NOT penalize families who have gone through a divorce and then a custodial parent decides to remarry! There should be a sliding scale as to the number of years of being married before the step parent has to report their income. 0-5 years of marriage- step parent does not have to report income. 6-10 years- step parent reports 50% of income. 11-15 years 75% of income. 16+ years- 100% of income. The answer should NOT be "Don't Get Married". That is one of the many problems of our culture today! Lie and cheat to save money!



