<p>Ok, so my situation is kind of complicated, so I'm curious to see if maybe someone has been in/heard of a similar situation. I'm the oldest child of two, and my parents are both deceased. My paternal uncle is technically my legal guardian, but due to marital problems in his own family, my younger brother and I now live with my grandmother. He puts no money toward our education/means of living/what have you (which, of course, we don't expect him to, as he has two kids of his own), so he is really nothing more than my guardian in title. We get by on the monthly Social Security check. My parents didn't have a lot saved for college and now I'm up against the FAFSA and trying to figure out how to explain myself.</p>
<p>Am I considered an independent, at least as far as filing for aid? I'm currently 17 and will be until next April. Or is my uncle an expected contributor? Because if he is, there's no way he's going to put any of his own money toward paying for my college tuition.</p>
<p>Any ideas?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance, and if there's anything I should clarify, let me know.</p>
<p>I am sorry for your losses and I know that this can be a bit overwhelming trying to wade through all of this by your self, but it will be ok.</p>
<p>I agree talk to the specific FA offices. </p>
<p>When filling out the fafsa, you just put in what your situation is (your parents being deceased)
You will be considered a special case and your uncles/grandmothers income and assets will not be used to calculate financial aid. Your EFC will be based on your earnings, the monies you & brother receive from SS (so gather your letters) and assets left in trust for you by your parents. SInce FA aid for 2007-2008 is based on your income/ assets for 2006 they will count the SS for the whole year. for school year 2008-2009 they will take into consideration your ss payments ceased in april 27.</p>
<p>"If I live with an aunt, uncle, or grandparent, should that relative's income be reported instead of parental information?</p>
<p>Only if the relative is your adoptive parent. Dependent students can be considered dependent only on their parents and must report only parental information on the FAFSA. You must report (in Worksheet B) any cash support given by relatives, but not in-kind support (such as food and housing) from relatives. "</p>
<p>"53. Are (a) both of your parents deceased or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?You should answer, "Yes" if both of your parents are deceased and you don't have an adoptive parent. If both your parents are deceased but you have a legal guardian, you should still answer, "Yes" to this question." </p>
<p>This is a dependancy question - so in your circumstances it looks like you would be considered an independant. Even though you must report your SS payments as income on the FAFSA a financial aid officer can make an adjustment to your EFC based on the fact that the payments will cease. You definitely need to talk directly with the financial aid officer from your school to explain your circumstances and see what adjustments can be made. Good luck</p>
<p>I know of a student in a similiar situtation. The difference being that one parent was in jail and the other just left (both had drug/alcohol prob.). Parents gave up guardianship to a woman at their church when the kid was about 12. . He had great grades and stats and got into UVA (from OOS). He is a freshman there now and is on a full-ride between merit money and financial aid money. His guardians income was not counted.</p>
<p>I'm in the same situation right now. Both of my parents are deceased and one of my older sisters and brother-in-law are my legal guardians. I've been accepted to St. John's College in annapolis, MD., and I'm currently working on the CSS Profile form. I contacted the finacial aid office yesterday and they told me that I will not be required to send in my guardian's tax returns or list any of their financial information on the Profile (they said if the application won't allow me to leave the fields blank I should just put zeros). I only need to worry about reporting social security info. and my insurance money. It is really complicated, but I would suggest getting in contact with the fin. aid office of a particular school. They deal with situations such as ours quite often. Good luck!</p>