You have to also include premiums for health insurance (if a family plan: premium divided by # in family), fair market value of rent for your total home, annual utilities, annual water, annual trash, annual lawn service, etc (not mortgage/insurance/pmi),...whatever annual costs you have for your home. Total that and then divide by the # of family members. This is his annual share of your home expenses applied to your son. If he's there for 4 months during the summer, and 8 months away at school, then multiply the total of his home expenses by 4/12. Does he have a car, does he make the payments or you, does he pay for its maintenance your you, and gas, etc. Take your annual food bill and similar to the house expense, divide by the # in the family, then multiply by 4/12. Doe she pay his own cell phone bill? Dental insurance-his portion of the premium. Add in any out of pocket medical/dental copays out of pocket - did he pay any of them. Haircuts, clothing, etc. You have to think of expenses beyond just Cost of Attendance for school. Using the support worksheet is really helpful.
And yes, the 8615 half support is based upon EARNED INCOME, not gifts, scholarships, loans.
