How can I file as an independent??

Paying for College
1

<p>So my school says I qualify as an independent for Financial Aid, but I was wondering </p>

<p>1.) Do I?
2.) How do I file for aid?</p>

<p>I have been living with my aunt and uncle since I was 4 years old, and my aunt is my legal guardian (or was, as I turned 18 in early December).</p>

<p>My mom was in and out of my life until my 10th grade year, when she passed away from breast Cancer, and I have not spoken to my dad since 7th grade, but I believe he is still living (idk where though)</p>

<p>Since I am 18, and technically (independent) how does this affect my aid? </p>

2

<p>For Federal aid, see <a href=“https://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/filling-out/dependency”>https://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/filling-out/dependency&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>If your aunt and uncle were legal guardians because you were a ward of the state, then yes, you’d be independent. If it was an informal arrangement, then your father’s status may come into it. Sorry it’s a mess. I hope the arrangement was formal, that you have medicaid and other state funded programs because then you definitely be independent.</p>

4

<p>Thank Y’all!</p>

5

<p>I am sorry about the loss of your mother. You can only be independent due to guardianship, if you were in court ordered legal guardianship.</p>

<p>Were you in court ordered legal guardianship before your mother passed?</p>

<p>If no, did your aunt go to the courts in your state to be appointed your legal guardian (since your father is alive, your dad is your legal next of kin and the court may have requested his permission to appoint your aunt your legal guardian).</p>

6

<p>Oh yes, I have been in legal guardianship since I was 4, as my mother signed me over to my aunt, by court order. </p>

7

<p>As long as the court order was in effect when you turned 18, you are independent for aid purposes. Be sure to obtain a copy of the court order, as the school will probably request the copy.</p>

<p>You will be eligible for aid based solely on your own income/asset information. If you do not have a lot of savings, and if you did not earn much money, you should be eligible for a Pell grant. You may be eligible for other aid, such as institutional grants and FSEOG; this depends on the school - and file FAFSA early for the best chance at receiving the most aid. You will be able to borrow up to $9,500 freshman year in federal loans.</p>

8

<p>I think he only had to be under a guardianship at sometime pasted his 13th birthday, so even if he had been adopted by the aunt after age 13, he’d qualify.</p>

<p>Good. It makes it so much easier than having to deal with a missing parent.</p>

9

In terms of my CSS Profile however, how do I fill it out even when it asks for parent information, I don’t live with my dad, and my legal guardian isn’t considered a parent in these cases?