<p>Hello, my name is Priscilla and I will soon get enrolled in Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA. When I was filling out the FAFSA, they requested me parental information. My problem is that, although I am a US Citizen living here with my aunt since 2009, my mom doesn't live here, she lives in Tijuana, Mexico. She is not a citizen nor resident, that's why I moved with my aunt, to go to college. She has claimed me in her income taxes records since I moved with her, so she's like my guardian. Again, when filling out the FAFSA they requested me parental information, but I didn't know who to put, my mother or my aunt. If I decided to put my aunt, should I say in the form that she's my mother? Because there's only three options: Mother, Father, and Blank.</p>
<p>You need to fill out the actual info on your mother. She is your parent, unless you have legal documents naming your aunt as your guardian.</p>
<p>You absolutely cannot use your aunt. Use your mother. It’s okay that she is not a US citizen or resident. What matters is whether or not YOU qualify as a citizen or eligible non citizen in qualifying for federal aid.</p>
<p>The thing is that I don’t want to just get loans, like the unsubsidized stafford or whatever it’s called because I don’t want to worry about repaying it. Can I still get things like the Pell grant or work-study?</p>
<p>Your eligibility for aid, including the Pell grant, is determined by filing the FAFSA. You have to use your mother; you cannot use a relative. If your relative has court ordered legal guardianship, you can file the FAFSA using only your information. The guardianship must be legally recognized, though, and you will be asked by the school to provide documentation of the guardianship (court paperwork). If the guardianship is not a true legal guardianship (limited guardianship is not acceptable), you must have parent info.</p>
<p>Thank you guys, you’ve been very helpful!</p>