<p>So, I'm currently struggling on this question: At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a dependent or ward of the court?</p>
<p>I was in foster care for a brief amount of time, less than week and probably just 3 or 4 days, when I was 16. It was the first and only time I was in foster care. But when I press yes, it automatically determines that I qualify for independent status. Which is not true for my situation. I went back to live with my father after foster care and have been living with him ever since. I've never lived in a way to qualify for independent status other than that brief stint with foster care. What do I do? Even if I do say that I want to involve my parent's information later on, I'm not sure if that's the right path to go considering my father provides for all of my financial needs.</p>
<p>Oh, and this is the addendum in the help box: Select Yes if you were in foster care at any time since you turned age 13, even if you are no longer in foster care as of today. </p>
<p>So, I know I qualify…I just don’t think I qualify for the right reasons and I’m really hesitating on clicking yes.</p>
<p>kelsmom has written about this in the last month or so, and provided the link. Run a quick search for her posts, and you should be able to find it.</p>
<p>Thank you both so much! I think I’ll put yes. I just worry that it’ll seem like I’m gaming the system or something and I feel bad taking advantage of a technicality.</p>
<p>I don’t blame you for feeling bad and appreciate that you have a well developed conscience. Two ways to look at this: the definition of independent is senseless, but if Congress can’t be bothered to come up with anything better, it’s not my problem, so I’ll answer yes to that question and take the money; OR, the definition of independent is senseless, and I don’t think it’s right to take government funds based on the stupidity or carelessness of whoever drafted it the rule, so I’ll answer no to that question. I think this is an ethical dilemma each person has to resolve in his own way.</p>