<p>We took in a girl a year ago that has a unique situation - and she's a HS Senior this year.
Her parents are separated and living in different states. She gets no aid from either parent. Dad did not file tax returns for 2010 (very low income), the mother cannot find her 2010 tax return. (The mother also is at a very low income level (minimum wage).)</p>
<p>How do I go about helping her with her FAFSA? I'm acting as a guardian to help her, but I'm lost! Do I put the father down on her FAFSA and ask him to submit a return for 2011, since the parents are separated?</p>
<p>Would she be better off emancipating herself for more financial aid?
Any help would be appreciated!
Thank you!</p>
<p>Are you a legal guardian or an informal one? That could possibly make a difference. Each parent can file a form with IRS to get a tax transcript (summary). I forgot the number of the form, but you can find it online at the IRS web site. It would come back saying that they have no record of dad filing, and it would save mom time. They can ask for several years of returns which they may as well request anyway to document their income history.</p>
<p>I’m an informal guardian - not legal. I’ve found the form you spoke of, however.</p>
<p>Although, I still don’t understand how I should fill out the FAFSA? I’m not sure if I should list both of her parents? And what if the Mom didn’t file either?</p>
<p>I would help her get emancipated before her 18th bday. After that it’s too late.</p>
<p>The fafsa would be filled out based on the income and assets of the parent that she lived with the most before moving in with you.</p>
<p>However, keep in mind that if she is applying to a school that gives out large amounts of institutional aid, she will need the income and assets of the other parent in the form of the non-custodial profile or institutional financial aid form.</p>
<p>Emancipation does not really impact FA eligibility. If she was abandoned by the parents she might qualify for independent status, though there would have to me some proof of this provided to the schools (from people such as school counselors, clergy etc that are familiar with her situation). If you are an official guardian, appointed by a court, then she would automatically be independent for FAFSA.</p>
<p>If her parents are very low income she will probably not be eligible for any more aid as an independent. If the dad was not required to file then she would probably get a 0 EFC based on him. Possibly on the Mom as well if her income was very low. (The missing 2010 return is irrelevant at this point, it is the 2011 return that is needed for the 2012-2013 FAFSA, which, assuming she will be starting college fall 2012, is the one that will need to be completed as soon as possible after january 1st 2012).</p>
<p>Her other issue might be residency for in state tuition at in state schools. A student’s residency is based on that of her parents. If her parents both live out of state, that could cause a problem with eligibility for instate tuition.</p>