I actually have a really odd situtation so let me give some background information. I am junior in highschool and I really want to go to Barnard College and I am in the class of 2021. So I will be applying next year, I plan to apply to Barnard ED because I am positive it is the college I want to go to. A small college with some benefits of a bigger one in a beautiful city is all I want and more. I want to be on a pre med track (Bio Major and Pysch Minor). My predicimamnt is that I do not live with my real parents. I live with my uncle and aunt who adopted me after my mom died and my dad fell ill, the only problem is that they dont really care for me AT all. They do not plan on paying for my college or anything really. They do not even treat me that well but I have to stay with them because I do not have anywhere else to go. They make enough money that I wouldnt qualify for the best aid from Barnard and I do not want to go into debt but I fell in love with this college and truly believe that it is the right fit for me.
Some more background is that I have a 4.0 and I am a International Bacclaurate Diploma canidate and I havent taked the SAT or ACT yet because of my guardians but I think I will score well on those
My question is that how should I go about this? My brother got his entire college payed for by the state of california but that was because he was still living with my dad who has no income, How should I apply for aid and grants? (BTW they do plan on paying for their kids colleges, just not mine)
At any time since you were 13 were you a Ward of the State? Examples are if you were in foster care (even if you were living with your aunt and uncle) or if you had a social worker assigned to you, If you were, you could be independent for FA purposes, and if you live in California you could very well get grants for college (although they might not get you to Barnard).
If not, and your aunt and uncle took direct custody of you without going through the state, you are their legal child and their finances will be considered for FA.
@twoinanddone No I do not think I was, Somone told me that beacause I am in a legal guardianship and my dad is still alive, just in a nursing home that I might be able to file as a independent but i am not sure if that is true
@thumper1 I dont actually know, I was in 5th grade but I know that we have guardianship papers that we have to show everytime we do something like open a library card? I can ask but they might get mad at me.
@Mwfan1921 My older brother does not know anything about college, my family did alot of the work for him but they will not help me at all. I dont really have a trusted family member but I do plan on going to my counsler I just hate missing class because like I said I am in the IBDP and classes are hard and if I miss it I fall really behind
You need to talk to aunt and uncle. Tell them you need to start filling out forms to get money for college. You need to know what your status is—legally adopted, legal guardianship or if you are there with an informal process that did not involve court appointment which I strongly suspect is the case. Parent likely just gave “guardianship” paperwork so aunt/uncle could deal with the everyday necessities of having you live with them. I see that a lot.
Unless your guardians are court appointed, you file FAFSA using the parent you spent more time with, gave you the most support, or has the most money according to the FAFSA rules in a sloppy nutshell. Look up those rules very carefully. They are clear as to procedures in picking which parent in situations like yours. It’s not all that uncommon. If possible, try to make a case for going with the one who will give you info needed which likely includes 2018 tax info access , and if you have that luxury, the one with the least income/assets. Talk to your brother about what he got and how he got a FAFSA completed with a parent
@twoinanddone this student only has one parent. The mother died. The dad is in a nursing home…he fell ill somehow.
So…if this student is not in an official legal guardianship, and is not adopted, she would need to use the dad’s info…or request a dependency override. She can’t use her other parent.
You had a fair bit of advice in a previous thread. You need to focus on the facts and stop worrying about fantasy school scenarios, what exactly is your legal status?
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my aunt and uncle are my legal guardians. I am a US citizen also. <<<(March)
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So this is definitive? Your guardians are wealthy, Japanese, but you are Bangladeshi, and a US citizen? You are in a court-ordered legal guardianship, and independent for FAFSA?
@mom2collegekids The people I live with are my legal guardians.I found out today, but I know it is court appointed because I remember the trial. so how should I apply for fasfa?
@Sybylla One of my guardians is Japanese and the other one is Bangaldeshi but he studied in Japan and I definitly am a Citizen I was born in Atlanta and yes it is a court ordered legal guardianship. Thank you for your help by the way! Just with information how should I go about applying?
@cptofthehouse The people i live with are my Legal guardians
If you are in a court ordered legal guardianship, then you will be considered an independent student for financial aid purposes. There is a list of questions on the FAFSA about this…and you will answer YES to the one about being in a guardianship. You will then provide only your financial information. No parent info.
Not sure about the Profile…I haven’t seen one in a while! I think it’s the same…but someone else will have to answer.
@thumper1 oh okay so the information I would fill out during FASFA would be about my finicial status? Not my fathers or guardians? and Sorry what profile are you refrencing?
Yes, just your information. When you answer yes to being in legal guardianship, you will not be asked any questions about parents or guardians.
When it comes time to complete the Profile form, which I am guessing you will need for Barnard, you can contact their financial aid office if you have questions.