Hi,
So for my freshman FAFSA I was able to claim homelessness due to the fact that I fleed my mentally abusive dad’s home at 18. My high school provided documentation for this. I have had no contact with my mom since the age of 6.
Due to being homeless, on top of large scholarships from my school and a homeless waiver for the cost of my classes, I was able to live in the dorms this year (and my school requires that you live in a dorm your freshman year unless you live with a parent).
However, now I don’t know whether or not I am still considered homeless? Over the summer I will still need to figure out which friend’s house to stay at. I don’t know if living in a dorm forces me to not be homeless anymore even though I technically am?
Also, if I can’t claim homelessness, I certainly can’t get my parents information, so I’m not sure what to do.
I feel stuck in a catch 22.
Please help if you know anything.
I will be going to talk to someone in my financial aid department next week but I just need some peace of mind until then. Thank you.
Your permanent address is not, and can never be, the dorms, or the college.
You are most certainly, unfortunately, homeless still.
Your financial aid officers are most certainly the people you want to clear this with before you go any deeper into worry over things that you never had any control over.
I wish you nothing but the best.
First, recognize what a huge accomplishment you have already made just going to and staying in school despite your challenging circumstances. Give yourself a big pat on the back.
Definitely talk to someone in your financial aid department. You will not be the first student they have encountered in this situation. There are students every year who come from circumstances that do not provide any family support and will not provide any information and they will be able to guide you through the process of how to deal with this. There are guidelines that set forth when you are independent for purposes of FAFSA. One of the situations that is specified is that your high school determined you were homeless after a certain date (currently 7/1/2015). It also tells you what to do if you don’t fall squarely within the listed exceptions but still need to be considered independent. The page is a pop-up so I have just copied and pasted some of the relevant information here.
Try not to worry too much. Your school has an interest in helping you continue towards graduation.
At any time on or after July 1, 2015, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
At any time on or after July 1, 2015, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
At any time on or after July 1, 2015, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
If you have a special circumstance that prevents you from providing parental information, you may still be able to submit your FAFSA. However, your FAFSA will be considered incomplete. You must contact the financial office at your college and provide them with documentation to verify your situation. For more information, visit http://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/filling-out#are-your-parents-unwilling.
@Clairea: You should post that as a thread, that is invaluable information.
“First, recognize what a huge accomplishment you have already made just going to and staying in school despite your challenging circumstances. Give yourself a big pat on the back.”
@lmbUSF : And give yourself a hug.
A big part of being independent is knowing when to say “I could use a little assistance with this; I could use a little help.” Don’t forget that.
Continue to use the resources that have opened themselves to you, and keep building a life for yourself.
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Thank you for your help! I read on a different forum that living in a dorm counts as having a home so it sent me into a panic. I really appreciate the kind words and advice. I will definitely speak to my financial aid advisor soon.
Once you are Independent for financial aid, you will remain so for the rest of your college. You have already been declared with Independent status due to being a homeless youth, so you keep filing out the form the same way. No a dorm isn’t a permanent address.
Some colleges have summer activities and hire students for office work, cafeteria/catering work, research support, etc. Some may come with dorm, and often it is easy to sublet a summer off campus room for cheap.
It is actually not correct that once you are declared independent for financial aid, you will remain so for subsequent years. It depends on the reason for being declared independent, and some cases require annual documentation (dependency overrides do … homelessness does, as well). Your financial aid office can assist you with any questions you have, and you can also search this resource for tips that apply to students: http://www.naehcy.org/educational-resources/higher-ed .
I’m glad you feel a bit better. I work with kids in foster care so I am familiar with a lot of the programs available for them as they move on to college in my state. I can assure you that all of us who work in these areas are thrilled to help anyone who wants the help. All you have to do is ask and then be sure you follow through with what ever they tell you that you need to do.
All the best to you, OP. Keep the communication open with the Fin Aid office – people will be more likely to help you by going the extra mile when they hear your questions and your story, take an interest in you and come to admire you for your perseverance.