<p>I guess I should explain my story first. When I was 6 months old I was legally adopted by my great grandparents. I'm currently 17 and it's my first year in college. I was emailed to renew my FAFSA information so I can get federal aid for next year. When renewing it, I noticed a question that asked if I was in legal guardianship. I remembered talking to my dad earlier this (great grandpa, but I call him dad) and he was telling me that he was in legal guardianship of me. So I clicked "I am under legal guardianship" and that I didn't want to include my parents' information. After that, it started asking for all of my tax information. I've never had a job so I put '$0' for everything. At the end of it all, it said that my EFC number is 0. Last year it was at about 4000 or something like that. Now it is at 0. </p>
<p>I guess my question is, does all of this sound right? I know if it is then I should've clicked it last year, but I can live with that.</p>
<p>If you were adopted, you are not in a legal guardianship - they are legally your parents. If you were not adopted, but a court recognized your grandparents as your legal guardians without an adoption (so your parents are still legally your parents) then you are in a guardianship.</p>
<p>Hmmm, was OP ever in legal guardianship prior to age 18? I could be wrong, but I do not believe the student has to be living with guardians NOW. I think if they were ever in legal guardianship prior to age 18…they can answer yes. </p>
<p>Hoping Kelsmom sees this, or someone else knows for sure.</p>
<p>Here are the rules:
-was an orphan, foster child, or ward/
dependent of the court at any time
since the age of 13
-is an emancipated minor or in legal
guardianship or was when he reached
the age of majority in his state</p>
<p>Once the student is adopted, the guardianship is no longer in effect. The only way an adopted student is independent is if he/she was a foster child or ward … or if the student was an orphan … ON OR AFTER age 13 but BEFORE being adopted.</p>
<p>Thanks for that clarification, Kelsmom.</p>