At the end of my senior year, around june of 2015, my family was evicted from the home that we were currently renting, and because we had and still do not currently have the finances, we are currently staying with my aunt in another state (it’s been like 6-7 months). I do live in a dorm on campus however because I received financial aid to do so. But I was just wondering what to put, because when I click homeless on the application it talks about being a homeless youth and being dependent, and I’m not exactly a dependent, and when I don’t click it asks about my parents household and they do not have a household (because we are currently living in someone else’s home…). I am just very confused as to what to do… idk
Sorry for your situation. Homeless means lacking stable housing. Children or youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason. What state are you in, and what school do you want to attend? I may be able to provide you with contact info for homeless students.
Thank you for this information! I don’t know if where we are staying counts as un-fixed so to speak because I highly doubt my aunt will make us leave at the moment (possibly my dad if my parents divorce but that’s on him… anyhow). I don’t exactly feel comfortable sharing where I live online (the state where we are staying with my aunt) , but I attend college out of state in DC. My parents just do not have enough income and good enough credit to get a place for us now which puts us in this situation of “homelessness”
While you are living in a doubled up situation (living with other people because your family cannot afford to live on their own).
Definition of doubled up
When you are not in college you go back to your aunt’s house with your family. This means that you are not an unaccompanied minor, who is a homeless youth.
definition of unaccompanied youth
If you were an unaccompanied minor, then you may be considered independent. However because you are with your parents, you must use their income/assets on the FAFSA.
You do live with your parents, and you do have a place to stay. You are not considered homeless for FAFSA purposes. I misunderstood & thought you were living with others … but it’s your family, so you don’t meet the criteria. I would imagine your EFC is very low, under the circumstances, though - so it really won’t matter if you have to include parent info.
Your parents do have a household by FAFSA definition: You, your parents, and any dependent siblings are in their household.
Thank you for this information. I was confused on what to put and I didn’t want to put something that was incorrect and then get my aid deferred or something crazy like that. And even with the situation my efc is zero so… (they made like 30,000 this year- but I was wondering do I add my aunt, who’s home we are staying at, income?)
So my household would be just my parents, siblings, and I, under their income- not the people who we are staying with right?
And you are a dependent for FAFSA. Unless you are married or over 24.
Your household is only your mom, dad, and siblings under age 24. You don’t count those others since you’re not supporting them.