parent got deported, i live on my own. how do i get financial aid

<p>i'm almost done with my first year of college. my mom, who live here for 21 years recently got deported, and now i live on my own. she said that she will continue to send me money, but that will not cover all of my college expenses.
I started my FAFSA application for 2013-2014 before, and based it on my mom's 2011 tax return. And i just want to know what will i put on FAFSA, now that my mom will no longer work here for 2013 and file for taxes.</p>

<p>You might want to check on this, but maybe the deportation will qualify you for independent status. NOt sure, but ask.</p>

<p>First of all, sorry. What a difficult situation for both of you, I’m sure, in so many ways.</p>

<p>If I were in your position, I would go straight to the financial aid office at my college on Monday (or if it’s not open on Monday, the first day it is open). This is likely to be a complicated issue. You’re going to want the help of people who are experienced in financial aid issues, and who have some interest in keeping the funds flowing for you, which the people at your college will have.</p>

<p>You would report her income from wherever she has income. So if she has income in the country she is living in, report that (converted to $$).</p>

<p>I don’t think it would make you independent. She has not abandoned you and is still supporting you. She is just living in another country. I would think it is no different from an FA point of view than a student whose American parents are living and working overseas, or a student with American citizenship whose parents are not citizens and live in a different country. That said, it does not hurt to ask the FA people at your school.</p>

<p>I am sorry about your mom - that must be difficult for you.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, the situation will not qualify you to be considered independent (most likely - they COULD maybe do it, but I know I would not consider that to be a reason - as you can still get her financial info). The fact that she is out of the country is irrelevant.</p>

<p>My question is this: What was her 2012 income? What is your EFC using that income? If it’s 0, then it doesn’t get any lower than that, anyway. If it’s not a low EFC, and if the deportation caused her to be in a situation where she will earn a lower income now, then I would suggest asking for a special circumstances review. This would involve your mom documenting her situation and her new income, and it could result in more aid.</p>

<p>^^^
Kelsmom…</p>

<p>I know that she can get mom’s info, but I was thinking that because of the deportation that could maybe make the student homeless?</p>

<p>I am thinking along the lines of Mom2collegekids. With the proof of what happened, could the OP go through that route? This seems to me to be a drastic and terrible turn of events.</p>

<p>That is a possibility, depending on the situation. If the EFC can be 0 using mom, though, the student does not want to become independent … an auto 0 dependent EFC will benefit the student by shielding student earnings.</p>

<p>Contact your college’s financial aid department. They will have forms for you to fill out to determine if you meet their requirements for being declared independent. They should also assist you with filing your fasfa.</p>

<p>Contact your financial aid office immediately.</p>

<p>I assume you’re a US citizen? </p>

<p>You will require clarification since your mom now lives in her citizenship country with you possibly listed as her dependent. That begs the qeustion, are you now an “International Student”? </p>

<p>This is not what you may want to hear, but be prepared if this happens.</p>

<p>*That is a possibility, depending on the situation. If the EFC can be 0 using mom, though, the student does not want to become independent … an auto 0 dependent EFC will benefit the student by shielding student earnings.
*</p>

<p>True. But I was also concerned about the student having instate status in case s/he’s needing state aid or instate rates. If considered OOS because the “custodial parent” is living outside of the country, then the student wouldn’t be a resident of any state. Or am I mixed up?</p>

<p>Why should the OP be considered homeless? I’m a citizen living overseas while my son is boarding at a school in the U.S., and that doesn’t qualify my son as being homeless.</p>

<p>^</p>

<p>Are you serious? Your situation is very different from the OPs. The possible “homeless” designation would not apply to your child, but might apply to the OP. </p>

<p>The OP was born here, he’s lived here his entire life, his parent (a non citizen) was deported, leaving the student here to essentially fend for himself. </p>

<p>You’re a citizen, you can come and go here as you please. You’ve chosen to live abroad, which is your child’s primary residence, and he’s at a US boarding school.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Not really. The OP said clearly that his mother was going to send him money, so he is not exactly destitute.</p>

<p>The mother intends to send money. Whether that actually proves to be possible for her is another story.</p>

<p>A meeting with the Fin Aid Office is in order here. So is a meeting with the student’s academic advisor and another with the Dean of students. This situation is uncommon and could get very messy, very fast. The student needs all the support he or she can get.</p>

<p>How about where is her Dad? Depending on the situation, couldn’t that also be an important factor and something the FA office will ask?</p>

<p>If this is a FAFSA-only institution, and the mom was the parent of record when the student filed the FAFSA, the mom will remain the parent of record unless and until the student specifically makes an effort to spend enough time with dad in order to use the dad’s financial information. So even if mom is out of the country, mom can remain the FAFSA parent indefinitely.</p>

<p>The OP will have to have his status clarified, ie in-state, out-of-state, or international student.</p>

<p>If the OP is classified as OOS. The OP will not receive grants offered to in-state students. Although the OP will have to pay at the OOS rates, he/she will still qualify for financial aid.</p>

<p>The worst case is if OP is classified an international student due to the OPs non-US Citizen custodial parent being domiciled in her native country. If the OP is classified as an international student, he/she will not qualify for many or any financial aid.</p>

<p>There are rules for CA residency. Hopefully the OP has met them while living in CA for the past 18+ years, and that the university will honor that.</p>

<p>If OP was able to fill out the FAFSA and get federal aid, then OP is a us citizen permanent resident (op states s/he is 20 and mom had been in the US for 21 years). Even if mom is domiciled elsewhere, Op is not going to be considered an international student.</p>

<p>Op will still most likely be still considered in-state especially if s/he has lived in state attended and graduated high school in state. I do not think is/oos tuition is going to be a problem.</p>

<p>The only challenges I see would be eligibility for state aid, if parent is no longer living in-state and is no longer a taxpayer. This is what Op needs to speak with the financial aid department about. OP will still be eligible for federal aid.</p>

<p>The only challenges I see would be eligibility for state aid, if parent is no longer living in-state and is no longer a taxpayer.</p>

<p>does this mean that my cal grant will be less since my parent is no longer a taxpayer?</p>