<p>This is a question. I am confussed about my status. I am an American citizen but was born and educated in Japan. My mother is American and my father is Japanese.
My parents both live in Japan but I have been living and working in the US (California where my mother is from) for the past 10 months since I graduated from High School. I am applying to a state college, a UC and a private College. I think their policies on residency and financial aid are different. I am in the process of filling out my FAFSA but am confused as to whether I will be considered or not as my parents do not file US Tax forms. I will file for the first time this year. Am I elligible to file for financial aid? Will a translation of my parents Tax forms be considered on the FAFSA? They did not claim me on their 2008 TAX forms in Japan as I am living in the US and getting by on my own (although I have not been able to save anything!) If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate it.</p>
<p>It may be possible that your parents live abroad, and you are filing for the first time…as a natural citizen, you would qualify for financial aid. Thats certainly a tricky one. I would call a couple of the schools your interested in to speak to the financial aid office, before you do anything else. Ask them exactly how you need to proceed. There may be a different set of requirements for you, though you are a citizen living in the states. You are surely not the first applicant with this type of situation.</p>
<p>You will probably get better answers to this in the financial aid forum. Try posting there.</p>
<p>Erica, since your parents don’t claim you on their taxes, you can fill out a FAFSA form using your own data. Please make sure to apply NOW for your PIN number so that you can sign the form electronically. Also, if you have questions, you can call the toll-free number listed on the FAFSA site (they even answer late at night!) or call the Financial Aid office at one of the school you are applying to and talk to an officer there; I’ve found that they are usually quite helpful and willing to talk to a potential student.</p>
<p>
This is completely incorrect. FAFSA asks you a series of questions to determine whether you are a dependent or independent student (24 or over, married, have a dependent, be a veteran etc - none relate to taxes)
[Questions</a> About Your Dependency Status](<a href=“http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/help/ffdef09.htm]Questions”>http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/help/ffdef09.htm)
Unless you can answer yes to one of the questions you are a dependent for FAFSA and will have to provide your parent’s financial information and your own. Not being claimed as a dependent on your parents taxes does not make you independent for FAFSA purposes. </p>
<p>If you are a US citizen you are eligible to file FAFSA. As others have said - post your question in the financial aid forum where there are some knowledgeable people including a couple of financial aid officers.</p>
<p>As a US Citizen, you qualify for financial aid programs. Period. End of Analysis. However, what you get depends upon your need, and that has nothing to do with your citizenship status.</p>
<p>Now, if you are applying for in-state tuition at your State’s University, residency, not citizenship, will be the issue. Some States require a Parent to be a Resident in the State. Check with the University’s Financial Aid Office on residency requirements.</p>
<p>The Private College could care less where you are a resident. They want to know your Citizenship, and whether you are fluent in English.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your help. I am trying to contact the schools that I ahve applied to and see what they say.</p>