I’m 17 and am currently living with a friend’s parents who have temporary guardianship of me until I am 18 years old. My parents are living in Mexico and I receive money from my them only to pay for my rent to my guardians and for food, I don’t receive money from my guardians. I don’t have the money myself for the applications I need to send, as my parents aren’t paying for that. I would be so great if I could get an application fee waiver for both the UC app and the Common app. So in the UC application, should I be claimed as dependent? If I am, who am I dependent of?
Your parents are paying for your rent and food.
I hate to pry, but why aren’t you living with your parents?
I lived in California with my parents before, we moved away and I moved back because I want to go to college in the state.
Okay. This is a mess,. I have criticized other people for giving legal advice at CC but I’ll go out a limb (part way) here. You should really consult a legal aid clinic, but I’ll try to identify the questions you need answered. Is this “temporary guardianship” anything formal (that is, based on something written) or just the the way you view it (you are living with them so they are your “temporary guardians”)? What is the definition of “dependent” for the UC app? If it means “dependent for purposes of a US tax return,” I think the answer is no, but you need better advice than you are going to get on CC. Where are you? PM me [California lawyer] and I will try to find a legal aid clinic near you that can advise you.