<p>When filing my FAFSA for the first time, am I considered truly independent or dependent?
I've lived with my grandma my whole life, since the day I was born. My mother passed away when I was about seven and left my little sister and I. My grandma has full custody / legal guardianship of me, papers and all. Both my sister and I. There is no record or documentation of my father (not even birth certificate) and has never had any contact. Now, when I answer that yes, since 13 I have been a dependent or ward of the court, I'm classified as independent, which means no parental questions . . . moving on, I cannot put down any tax files or even income or earnings from work since I don't have a job, or make any money. My grandma has provided me with everything, and she makes a little under 24,000 a year. What should I put down? Thank you!</p>
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See <a href=“http://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/filling-out/dependency[quote]My”>http://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/filling-out/dependency
You could report your grandma’s support on “Untaxed Income - Student” / "Money Received or Paid on Student’s Behalf " See <a href=“https://fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1314/help/faadef22.htm”>https://fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1314/help/faadef22.htm</a>
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