How Are Expenses Paid For By Someone Else Reported On the FAFSA?

They are not. Starting with the 2024-25 award year under the FAFSA Simplification Act, whether in the form of in-kind support or cash support, such support is not reported on the FAFSA, is not included in need analysis, and is not other financial assistance (OFA) when packaging the student with Title IV aid.

For Reference Only: Cash support includes money and gifts and housing, food, clothing, car payments or expenses, medical and dental care, college costs, and money paid to someone else or paid for on the student's behalf (such as a friend or relative paying the student's electric bill or part of the student's rent). The basic rule is: if someone pays a cost the student is obligated to pay, the amount counts as cash support. On the other hand, in-kind support is support other than money, such as when friends or relatives give the student food or allow the student to live with them rent-free.

See also AskRegs Knowledgebase Q&A, Can We Use PJ To Include Income That Was Excluded From Need Analysis By the FAFSA Simplification Act?

Student Aid Reference Desk: For additional information, try the Student Aid Reference Desk. It is a central hub of all the important financial aid resources you need with direct links to legislation, regulation, Dear Colleague Letters, and other ED and NASFAA references. It is updated on a rolling basis with the latest news and changes.