<p>I need to apply for fafsa next year, but I do not live with my parents. My parents are divorced, and I dont live with either of them. I live with another legal guardian. For fafsa who's income do i put? Do i put the income of the divorced parents that I dont live with, or do i put the income of my legal guardian?</p>
<p>If you truly are in a legal guardianship (not just living with someone other than parents…but a legal guardianship), you are considered independent for FAFSA financial aid purposes and do not include the income/assets from your parents or the guardians.</p>
<p>Are you certain that the person that you live with has legal guardianship…something legal put in writing? If so, then as Thumper says, you’ll be independent and won’t declare anyone else’s income.</p>
<p>But how does this make me independent if I have a guardian, they are just not my parents? Also, who’s income would I put. I do not make any money at my age…</p>
<p>If someone has been appointed to be your guardian then you are evaluated for federal aid as an independent. It would be your income and assets that are reflected, not your parents, not your guardian. And yes, you may not have any income at all. You could ask your guardian whether or not they are legally your guardian. As you fill out your FAFSA there will be quesions about this so just answer them honestly. If the colleges need other information like documentation of the guardianship or information on the guardian…they will request it from you at some point in the process. But, as Thumper points out the guardianship must be a legal guardianship…not simply that you are living with a relative or someone else through a “handshake” agreement.</p>
<p>If you have court documentation that you are in legal guardianship you will be independent for the FAFSA. But take it from someone who knows, your schools will not just accept that. You are going to have to document exactly why your parents aren’t paying for school or why you’re not living with them. I’m in legal guardianship without living parents and I’ve been put through my paces in proving my circumstances.</p>
<p>That depends on the school. As long as the student submits the court order proving the guardianship exists, we accept that without requiring anything else. I work at a public U that does not meet need … private schools & schools that meet need may want more info.</p>
<p>I live with my aunt (guardian) but she doesn’t have the guardianship through the court?
Am i independent or dependent?</p>
<p>P.s. My parents live in mexico and my other aunt has been claiming me in her taxes for the last ten years</p>
<p>her income : 17000</p>
<p>No, you are not independent. You have to be in a court-ordered guardianship, which is different than a voluntary guardianship, in order to be considered automatically independent. You need to use your parents’ income (change it to US dollars).</p>
<p>Closing thread. It is old, and the OP asked the same question in a new thread.</p>