<p>While reviewing your credentials for your application to Columbia and your application for financial aid we came across a discrepancy. On the admissions application you indicated that you were a US citizen, but on the FAFSA you indicated that you are a Permanent Resident of the United States. Before we can go any further in processing your application we will need to see a copy of your green card with the A number visible. </p>
<p>Would you please fax a copy of your green card to Jessica Bernier at 212 854-8223. As we are nearing the end of our process it is imperative that you do this as soon as possible. We are planning to finalize our decisions by tomorrow, Tuesday, March 18.</p>
<p>The thing is, I am not even a perma. resident.. but I think I qualified as a "eligible non-citizen" because I am a resgistered alien, at least that's what my mother's lawyers told us.</p>
<p>How do I go about telling them that I am neither a US Cititzen nor a Permanent Resident without looking like a liar? I am sure my mom did not lie intentionally.. </p>
<p>Also, to clear things up, would registered aliens classify as "eligble non-citizens" for financial aide?</p>
<p>Thanks, flutterfly_28.. I just don't want to appear as a "liar". It's a very sensitive subject, so I am sure mistakes can be made.. but at the same time, these mistakes should not have been made. :(</p>
<p>Even so, you should first apologize for this careless mistake and hopefully the admissions committee would understand and forgive you. That is the simplest yet hardest (at least for you) way to resolve this matter. If possible, try to phone (I don't know if this works) them and apologize in the most sincere way you can.</p>
<p>She didn't fill out everything.. she filled out some necessities (things I don't know about).. but the point of this thread wasn't to discuss why my mom filled out my application...</p>
<p>Thank you, CatchAFallinStar.. I don't know if it would be better for my mom or myself to call?</p>
<p>I think you should call. It may show you're responsible for your own actions (at least from my point of view) and don't push all the blame on your mother. But that's my opinion. What you want to do is up to you.</p>
<p>You've got to talk to them first thing in the morning on the 18th, and be prepared to answer:</p>
<p>1) Why there is a discrepancy.
2) Why you were of the opinion that eligible non-citizen is equivalent to Permanent Resident when in fact according to your post you really didn't know.
3) Why neither of your responses are technically true or correct</p>
<p>As a back-up, I would also plan:</p>
<p>4) to not make it look like you are blaming your mom (while at the same time explaining that it was your mom that did certain things without knowing clearly)
5) Why, if your mom wasn't clear on the concept of things, you had her filling in your application in the first place.</p>
<p>Uh, and actually, now that I've written all these items out, I realize you should really just fax the clarification with as little detail as possible. I don't think you want to have the conversation above. I think you want to just clarify it and hope it doesn't raise huge red flags. I'd go with doing what CatchAFallinStar said to do except that I would put the apology in writing and not go into too much detail. But include a phone number where they can call.</p>
<p>Good luck. I don't mean to be a hard a$$. This sounds like a tough situation and it's too bad you're going through it.</p>
<p>I think you should relax. By saying they'd be happy to see evidence of Permanent Residence, they should likewise accept evidence of registered alien status, I think. </p>
<p>At a minimum, they definitely won't think you're a "liar" -- there are a jillion boxes to check on all the forms y'all have to fill out, and errors are inevitable. (I mean, if you were really trying to mislead them, then why tell the "truth" on the FAFSA, right?) You have nothing to feel guilty about.</p>
<p>I would just send an email saying you "apologize for any confusion caused by the error on your app, and then note that you are not a citizen but a registered alien (proof attached), and would be happy to talk to them if they have any other questions.</p>
<p>ColumbiaLuver2, do yourself a favor and ignore every response to your question in this thread EXCEPT for chazzyt's....that is the only correct answer by leaps and bounds. </p>
<ol>
<li>you should know your nationality or immigration status you're almost an adult start acting like one</li>
<li>your mommy shouldn't be doing anything for you and especially not contacting columbia to clean up your mess....again, you're almost an adult start acting like one</li>
<li>as a non-citizen you are eligible for columbia aid but not federal aid...this is very important in determining your financial aid</li>
<li>this doesn't mean you got in, don't get your hopes up</li>
<li>why is everyone's response on this board to immediately "call them" if they didn't call you then they don't want you to call them....unless you are relaying highly sensitive information like your Social security number you should respond to them via the same route they contacted you. If they emailed you, email them back. If they asked you to fax something, fax it.....don't overly complicate things. </li>
</ol>
<p>i reiterate: chazzyt's answer is right on the money and everyone else is wrong.</p>
<p>I already did what I needed to, so no need for further responses. </p>
<p>And if you have nothing contrsuctuve to say, Columbia2002, I am going to suggest for you to take your empty brain and your useless comments elsewhere.</p>