In Ohio, child support obligations can extend beyond a child’s 18th birthday. The state requires parents to provide financial support for their children until the child reaches 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. However, what happens if the child decides to pursue higher education after completing high school? How do child support obligations change, and who bears the responsibility for college expenses?
Continuing Child Support After High School
Ohio law permits child support to continue even after a child turns 18, but only if the child is still pursuing high school education. If the child graduates from high school before reaching the age of 19, child support will persist until the child reaches that age. Conversely, if the child continues their education beyond the age of 19 while still attending high school, child support will only continue until the child graduates or until they turn 21, whichever comes first.
College Expenses and Child Support
Unlike certain states, Ohio does not automatically mandate parents to cover their child’s college expenses. However, parents can still be held accountable for such costs under specific circumstances.
In Cases of Divorce
If the parents are divorced, their divorce decree may include provisions regarding college expenses. In such circumstances, the non-custodial parent might be obliged to contribute to their child’s college costs, even if they have already satisfied their child support responsibilities.
In Cases of Paternity
In cases involving paternity, a non-custodial parent can be ordered to contribute to their child’s college expenses if the court deems it appropriate and reasonable. When making this determination, the court will consider factors such as education costs, the child’s academic abilities, and the parents’ financial resources.
Voluntary Agreements
Even if there is no legal obligation for a parent to fund their child’s college education, they can still opt to do so through a voluntary agreement. This agreement can be established between parents or between a parent and their child. If a mutual arrangement is reached, it can be included as part of a child support order or as a separate court order.
The FAFSA and College Expenses
When a child applies for college, they must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This comprehensive form is used to assess the child’s eligibility for financial assistance from the federal government, as well as from the state of Ohio and the respective college they plan to attend.
In determining financial aid eligibility, the FAFSA takes into account the income and assets of the custodial parent, regardless of their responsibility to pay for college. If the non-custodial parent contributes to college expenses, their income and assets will also be considered in the evaluation process.
Conclusion
Ohio child support laws enable ongoing financial support for high school students beyond the age of 18. However, parents are not automatically obligated to cover their child’s college expenses. In the case of divorce or paternity, parents may be required to contribute to college costs if the court deems it appropriate and reasonable. Moreover, parents can voluntarily choose to contribute towards their child’s college education through a personal agreement. When applying for financial aid, the custodial parent’s income and assets will be assessed, alongside any contributions made by the non-custodial parent.