Long story short- i’m a rising senior, student living and studying in the US since 1st grade, family is in the process of receiving a Green Card in a couple of months- already have social security & work/travel permit but not the actual Green Card in our hands, strong stats & EC’s, low income so in need of financial aid. If Green Card doesn’t arrive by the time apps are due, not sure if i am considered international or domestic when it comes to financial aid? Where/when/how on the application do i “prove” that I am a US resident vs an international?
What is your current status? What kind of visa are you on now?
You are international until you are a permanent resident. You/your family will get a formal notification when you become a permanent resident. Then, and only then, you can tick the ‘citizen/permanent resident’ box. Do not be tempted to lie even a little- in the current climate it could end very badly for you.
You get the green card when you get it, there is no de facto status. You really cannot be sure it will be in a couple of months. You are international at this point. All you can do is request a change of status once the GC is granted.
However there are a very small on f non-green card statuses that are allowed to use FAFSA. But the OP needs to tell us if they fall in one of those categories.
University of Rhide island offers in state tuition to undocumented students I would assume you would enjoy the same opportunity Worth a look. It’s a good school
You need to read the FAFSA information very carefully to find out if you fall into one ofr the no-green-card-yet groups that qualify to file such as asylees and refugees.
If you cannot file the FAFSA, you are international for federal financial aid purposes.
However, depending on the state you live in, you might be considered domestic for state aid purposes and/or for in-state tuition and fees.
Please be aware that some states (for example New York), will not consider you in-state for tuition and fees until you have had your green card for a full year even if you have lived in that state in a different status for longer.
Currently on F2 Visa but I have a social security & work/travel permit; basically everything came except the actual green card which we are expecting around New Year’s, which is obviously after the College App’s are due. I’m in a pretty tough situation, but I worked so hard and i just dont want this factor to get in the way, especially since it’s a factor out of my control.
So you are a dependent of someone on a student visa? And have been for 12 years?
You should consider taking a gap year so that you can apply everywhere after you have your green card. That is likely to give you better options for admission and financial aid.
Gap year is your best bet, as you are international for admission not just aid. Again, there is no date when you think the GC will be yours, it is what it is. Are you tracking your GC online? SS/work permit etc, is all irrelevant. Make sure when your get your GC you follow up all requirements are per SS so you don't hit any hiccups when applying. It used to be a visit to a SS office to adjust information once you have your GC in hand.