For fafsa im still unsure about my status, if anyone could help here’s my situation!
I haven’t lived with my parents since i was eight, and i haven’t seen them since then (im now 18)
ive been living with relatives but i was too young to know whether i was in legal guardianship under the person who i was living with, or if that was considered foster care since we really didn’t go through the process (i dont think). and i really have no idea about the whole court thing if they were involved, i just remembered there were social workers here and there. Ive been working since i was 15 since i wasn’t really financially supported but provided room/ food
when i was 16 i moved in with another relative (different from the previous one) they provide everything but i pay for my own expenses/bills. etc.
my mother then passed away a couple months later.
Adding on to that, i also dont know if i should just put dependent and put my dad’s income as $0 for the family income (since i dont live with him, he doesn’t work, i actually dont know much about him, and he’s the only one alive) instead of putting myself as independent, or if i do put my self as independent should i put my income?
andddd, i have 4 siblings but they dont live with me, should i add that on the family information section on fafsa?
You need to ask the grown ups in your life about the status of your guardianship, if you were ever in foster care, if you were in legal guardianship at any time. Someone should know.
If foster care is a possibility, would the state have a record in your name?
What about your school? Sometimes students need to verify guardianship when they don’t live with their parents.
It is best if you just find out if you were in a legal guardianship or foster care. If in foster care they would have got a payment for providing that. Then you file independent. If not, then you may be able to get an override via ‘professional judgement’ from the financial aid offer at any college you apply to. But if you have to file as a dependent you have to put accurate income and asset info for your dad–technically he is supposed to do it–if you put zero you will be verified as to how he lives with zero income the will need supporting docs.
Number in family refers to how many in the household. If you are independent just you unless you are married. If dependent, then how many with your dad.
A bit unusual so maybe member @kelsmom can give you a better reply.
You need to find out what it meant that “social workers” were involved. That may mean that your parents lost custody at some point. The relatives that were involved at that time may know the details.
I don’t think you can count siblings that don’t live with you or your dad.