My niece lost her mom (my twin) this year. While she battled cancer, my niece lived with her stepdad in another state.
She wants to come back home to NC to go to college next fall. She is attending school in another state her entire junior and senior year (she is currently a senior), but was born and raised in NC. Her mom claimed her on her taxes for 2017 (the last full year she was alive).
She is filling out the FAFSA as independent.
Will she be considered a NC resident? I know- this is pretty complicated. I think we will have to call her desired schools to get the answers but thought I would ask here.
It looks like there is a central agency that does it for all NC state schools. https://ncresidency.cfnc.org/residencyInfo/
Who is her legal guardian? I think that will be the determining factor.
Aunt, I am so sorry for the loss of your sister.
Where is he bio father? If he’s alive, she won’t be an independent for FAFSA.
I don’t think she’ll meet the requirements for NC, especially since she’s living OOS and will have a hs diploma from an OOS high school. It’s a red flag for determining in-state v OOS.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
I just completed the NC residency and it requires all of the social numbers and current address. It was a lot of information to put on the web, but they also have a phone number you could call for assistance. Depending on the state school, I wonder if the admissions counselor would work with you.
If you have a college or university close to you, I suggest calling their financial aid dept or making an appointment with someone in that department and talk to them. Schools see a lot of different scenarios and could guide you/her in the process.
TwoInandDone - Bio-father gave up parental rights years ago. Current guardian is her step-dad in another state. She’s claiming independent bc she technically has no parents, only a temporary guardian.
TwinMom2023- thank you.
That’s what I’m thinking. Not sure anyone could hear that she lived in NC her entire life until her mom was diagnosed and died of cancer when she was 16 and she had to go live with a guardian. Most definitely out of her control.
Howard- thank you. It’s been a tough year. Making sure her children are ok is top priority.
Eeyore - I’m pretty sure the website you provided would say she’s OOS. I recently did that for my own son and it’s pretty intense.
Current guardian is step dad out of state.
If her stepdad is her legal guardian, wouldn’t that state be where she’s considered a resident?
I do think the online system will say she’s OOS, but I think she should appeal. Not sure what exception they might make but having her claimed as a dependent in NC last year should help. Def. worth a shot.
I’m so sorry about your family’s loss.
I think your instinct to call the schools is the correct one. According to the website, schools can file a reconsideration. Hopefully, that’s what they would do, or at least work with her to get the tuition down.
Sorry for your loss OP,
Your niece will have lived in another state for two years. Go ahead and appeal the residency but I don’t think it will be waived. BTW, what is the other state? I’m sure there are good schools there. Good luck to your niece.
I am sorry for your loss.
The rules for residency are online. https://ncresidency.cfnc.org/residencyInfo/pdf/RDS_Guidebook.pdf
On page 9 it says
They do provide a contact number and email. It might be helpful to work with them to clarify the rules that apply. Since you are not the legal guardian they may need your niece to contact them due to privacy concerns.