This is question 61 on the paper FAFSA.

This question cannot be left blank.

Select the answer that describes your parents' marital status as of today.

"Married or Remarried" does not mean living together unless your parents' state of legal residence recognizes their relationship as a common law marriage.

According to the Defense of Marriage Act (1996), “...the word ‘marriage’ means a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word ‘spouse’ refers to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.” Therefore, same-sex unions are not considered marriages for federal purposes, including the FAFSA.

If one of your parents is widowed or divorced and has remarried, answer the questions about that parent and your stepparent.

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