<p>Dear all,</p>
<p>I am an undergraduate student at NYU recently forced into a Leave of Absence from the university this semester because:</p>
<p>1) Retraction of Financial Aid due to dependency on father mis-stating some income (mother passed away a long time ago)
2) Homelessness (Ongoing for the past 5 years, due to unstable family)</p>
<p>Under FAFSA federal guidelines, I am considered an independent based on being homeless (although given a temporary place to stay by a friend's family). My district's high school counseling center will send NYU a letter on my behalf stating their knowledge of my situation (which extends back to high school years). On top of that, two families will give NYU statements on their history of housing me often for periods of over half a year at a time, including a social worker.</p>
<p>However, I have a feeling that, despite even all this proof that under FAFSA guidelines that I am considered homeless, NYU Financial Aid Office will still be resistant on treating me as an independent-status student. They have shown resistance before, and I just always get the feeling that they don't care about my situation and just don't want to accommodate my situation, so that I leave.</p>
<p>Has anyone been in a similar situation where you have qualified for independent status? What did you do? Who did you talk to? Any tips/advice?</p>