<p>I was raised by my aunt and she's my legal guardian. My father is deceased, and my mother unknown/unheard of. My aunt and I have very vast differences and the only reason she continues to house me is because of the benefits she receives for me by the government (cash aid, foodstamps) she also files her taxes on me. The other day we where talking and she said that she really doesn't want to take care of me when I turn 18 and she'll be moving away(she's been telling me this ever since i was 8). I told her i was okay with her leaving(i'll stay with my other aunt or dorm for college) but now I'm scared because apparently i need her for my financial aid matters and i still need her signature even after im 18. Someone please explain to me, and will I be okay without her college wise? Am i considered an independent student? Please help me, i'll be applying to colleges this fall and i really want to have knowledge about this before it's too late!</p>
<p>If she is your court appointed legal guardian, not an adoptive parent, you are an independent student for financial aid purposes. You won’t need any of her financial aid information in order to apply for aid.</p>
<p>If she has been appointed the manager of a trust fund that is yours, you need to find out the details of that trust so that you know if it is possible to request a change of manager or not.</p>
<p>I don’t normally suggest this…but given the situation with your parents (and I’m sorry for you about that)…if you are NOT already independent for financial aid purposes, you might want to contact the colleges you are applying to and discuss a dependency override. With a deceased mother and a father who is totally out of the picture and has been for YEARS…it would seem to me that the financial aid officers would at least CONSIDER a dependency override.</p>
<p>In the meantime…I would discuss your future with your other relatives. Regardless of where you go to college, it would be nice to have a “home” to come to on school breaks. I hope your other aunt will consider providing you this home.</p>
<p>In any event…unless the aunt you are living with has adopted you, you would not use her information on your FAFSA.</p>
<p>If she is your AUNT and she didn’t adopt you, AND she is your legal guardian, then you do NOT use her info for FA purposes.</p>
<p>ONLY parents’ info is used for FA purposes. </p>
<p>Since you have a Legal Guardian, that relationship ends at 18, so you’re considered INDEPENDENT for FA purposes. That means that you ONLY use your own financial info. You will likely have an EFC 0.</p>
<p>Yes, do arrange to live with another relative during your college years because it’s unlikely that you’ll get enough aid to pay for all college costs. Most colleges do NOT give much aid…even with an EFC 0.</p>
<p>However, if you have high stats, and/or you live in a state that gives lots of aid, then you might be able to get enough grants/merit scholarships to dorm at college.</p>
<p>What state are you in?</p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>I suggest that you get a part-time job soon to help pay for some incidentals that you’ll likely have your senior year of high school as you prepare for college.</p>
<p>You should also be able to get application waivers …talk to your GC.</p>
<p>Depending where you live, you might be able to petition the court to have your other aunt declared your guardian now, rather than later, if she is willing. While your Aunt should not (in most states) have to sign anything for you once you turn 18 (there are several exceptions, so your location would be helpful), she can still have a hand in everything until then. If she is willing to cooperate with the college application process, you may be fine staying where you are, but if your difference will prevent you from applying where you want, you might consider your other options.</p>
<p>You don’t have to tell your aunt, but there would be some benefit for her to keep supporting you. If she qualifies for Earned Income Credit, you will still be a depending for those purposes, if you live with her (or have a “tax home” with her), and she would be entitled to the American Opportunity credit based on any tuition you end up paying. The same will apply if your other aunt provides a home base for you.</p>
<p>Your other option is to support yourself, and work part time during college - your ability to do that is going to depend on what kind of aid you get. Now is the time to start thinking about this, because some states offer extra assistance to orphans and wards of the state. You need to know the legal arrangement under which you aunt is caring for you. You might or might not be eligible for state assistance, depending on your status.</p>
<p>Speak to your guidance office, and call your local social service office. They should be able to tell you where you stand.</p>
<p>I would keep legal guardianship with the aunt who currently holds that position because it has been in place for so long, you should keep copies of all pertinent paperwork regarding this custody situation as well as anything that demonstrates past that failed to locate your father. You should be considered independent for financial aid purposes; look carefully at the FA policies of the schools you apply to. Hopefully you can find a good fit that will give you substantial aid. Work on your SAT/ACT scores to improve your chances for merit aid.</p>
<p>I don’t see the need to change guardianships at this point. The student is a rising senior, soon to be 18, and at that point, all guardianships stop.</p>
<p>There’s nothing to gain by changing guardians, and the process would cost unnecessary charges. </p>
<p>For FAFSA purposes, the student is considered independent.</p>
<p>As long as she didnt legally adopt you, you are considered independent for fafsa purposes in my opinion. There is a specific question regarding that right in the beginning of the fafsa.</p>