Hi, I’m filling out the fafsa but I’m having problems with my dependency status…I’m considered independent because my grandmother is my legal guardian and I don’t live with my parents, but my grandmother claims me as a dependent on her taxes and i have no financial information of my own to fill out in the independent student section. Any advice?
It’s okay for your grandmother to claim you on her taxes. Dependency for tax purposes and dependency for FAFSA purposes are two different things. As long as your grandmother is your court-ordered legal guardian, you are considered independent. It’s a small thing the government does for kids who need a little extra help in their lives. You will just fill out your section with the real numbers. If it’s 0, it’s 0. Aid officers deal with this & know.
Thank you c: So do i just say that I will not fill out the federal income tax?
There is a tax filing question. You will choose “will not file”.
You may need to complete a non-filers statement. Contact the colleges and ask.
Most likely, you will be selected for verification - your aid office will request certain information from you. You will probably have to provide a copy of the order for guardianship, among other items. Just be sure to watch for any emails or letters from the aid office & give them everything they need. Don’t hesitate to call the school’s aid office.