I kind of have a unusual situation regarding filling out my FAFSA.
I’m soon to be 21 in September. My parents got divorced when I was six years old, and my mother had full custody of me.
Sadly, my mother passed away in August. I’ve been out of school for over a year and I need to go back. I don’t live with my father though, and he doesn’t claim me as a dependent on his taxes. I don’t live with him (I own my own house.)
My question is is that is there anyway I can be considered independent? Can that be overrode by a college? Thanks!
Yes, inquire about a dependency override through your school. You likely will need to provide your mother’s death certificate as part of the review process.
I am sorry for your loss. You MAY be able to qualify for a dependency override, which is done on a school-by-school basis. Contact the school to find out if they have a form to complete, and what documentation you will need. You will definitely need to submit a copy of the death certificate.
The issue I see, though, is that it sounds like your relationship with your father is intact. While he has not had custody of you, and while you live on your own, federal regulations do not recognize either situation as enough to waive the fact that you have a parent whose income information you can provide. If you do not actually have a relationship with him at all … that is, he has been absent from your life … you might get an override. You would have to submit a statement indicating the facts, and you would very likely need to get statements from others backing up what you said (preferable professionals, like a counselor or clergy person who knows your situation).
It is likely, though, that you will need to file as dependent with your father as the parent.