Filing for FAFSA and guardian doesn't do income tax?

[johnnyham89]

<p>My cousin's guardian is our grandmother and she doesn't file income tax. He wants to know how should he file his fafsa? Should he just file as an independent?</p>

[thumper1]

<p>I hope someone else verifies this…but I don’t believe guardian’s incomes are reported on the FAFSA.</p>

[swimcatsmom]

<p>No, you are right. A guardian is not a parent for FAFSA purposes.</p>

<p>If the Grandmother is a legal court appointed guardian then your cousin can file as an independent. If not she may have to file saying she cannot provide parent information and then talk to eachschool about a dependency override.</p>

[johnnyham89]

<p>Yes, she is his legal court appointed guardian. What would he need to do to be classified as an independent?</p>

[swimcatsmom]

<p>When he files FAFSA there is a series of questions that determine whether a student is dependent or independent. If he can answer yes to any of the questions then he is considered independent. Question 55 is

55. Are you or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?<br>
    Answer “Yes” if you can provide a copy of a court’s decision that as of today you are in legal guardianship. Also answer “Yes” if you can provide a copy of a court’s decision that you were in a legal guardianship immediately before you reached the age of being an adult in your state. The court must be located in your state of legal residence at the time the court’s decision was issued.
    Answer “No” if you are still a minor and the court decision is no longer in effect or the court decision was not in effect at the time you became an adult.

He should be prepared to provide the documentation if required.</p>