<p>So here's an interesting one. </p>
<p>My step daughter is making a decision for college. Her dad is a SC resident. She has been going to high school in PA living with her mother. </p>
<p>She is considering USC here in SC. </p>
<p>She was able to apply for in state tuition because her dad is a SC state resident. </p>
<p>Would this automatically mean she would also qualify for FAFSA using her dad's income and residency status to get aid for SC even though she has been going to high school in PA?</p>
<p>What would she put down as "Permanent residence" in the FAFSA app?</p>
<p>FAFSA is pretty clear that the custodial parent is the one she lived with more than half the year.</p>
<p>The fact that USC will give her instate rates does NOT change federal guidelines for FAFSA. That would mean that states would be controlling federal guidelines for FAFSA.</p>
<p>However, she might get state aid or scholarships if she qualifies (low enough income or high enough stats):</p>
<p>My parents are divorced. How does that affect my residency? What about scholarships?</p>
<p>If one of the following scenarios applies to your situation then you can claim SC residency:
*Joint Custody and one parent is a SC resident; or
*Parent that claiming the child on income taxes; or
*Parent that is SC resident pays child support over the cost of attendance as dictated by the college.</p>
<p>If you are a dependent of a SC resident then you may be eligible for State scholarships and grants. Please consult the financial aid office at your institution.</p>
<p>If she lives with her mom, then her
Mom is the custodial parent for FAFSA purposes.</p>
<p>If she put her Mom’s information down and states her permanent residence as PA, will she still receive aid for USC?</p>
<p>Yes, she can still receive federal aid for USC. She will need to enquire at USC about state aid and institutional aid from USC itself.</p>
<p>Is her mom low income (including any income from a new husband if she has one)? </p>
<p>Will she qualify for merit scholarships at USC? are her stats high enough?</p>
<p>As for USC or state grants:</p>
<p>If you are a dependent of a SC resident then you may be eligible for State scholarships and grants. Please consult the financial aid office at your institution.</p>
<p>University of South Carolina has very good merit aid for high achieving applicants…both in and out of state.</p>
<p>There is joint custody and yes father is a SC state resident. </p>
<p>So the state scholarships are not dependent on what she’s put in her FAFSA as a permanent address? </p>
<p>Her stats are ok and she may qualify for some scholarships. I will go through the list from the fin aid office. </p>
<p>Their docs did say they automatically evaluate you for aid and scholarships but I didn’t know if that depended on what information was entered in FAFSA. </p>
<p>My only concern was whether it would create any problems to have the FAFSA parent different from the one on her USC application.</p>
<p>Call the financial aid office and ask. They will be able to explain their policies and procedures to you. Your step-daughter is not the only applicant this year who has this situation.</p>
<p>There are some scholarships that U of South Carolina awards based on the strength of the student’s application. There are others that are done using their honors college/scholarship application but the deadline for that has LONG passed. When your step daughter receives her acceptance, she will also receive notification whether/not she is receiving one of these awards.</p>