<p>Okay, this is a question about my "sister". She was my foster sister before age 13 but still lives with my family unofficially. Collegeboard's EFC Calculator says that if she was in foster care at age 13 or older, she is considered financially independent for the purposes of the EFC. Should my parents ask to become her foster parents again? If so, will my sister get full financial aid at college, will my parents be expected to pay for it, or will she be expected to pay for herself? If they don't ask to be foster parents... Her mother has no income except whatever welfare she gets. If she doesn't live with her mother does this matter? Will she still get full financial aid? Will they look at my parent's income instead even though they aren't her legal guardians (are we her "household"?)?</p>
<p>She already qualifies as an independent student for FAFSA filing so no need for parental info (foster parent info is never required anyway). She will file FAFSA with only her own income/asset info and should follow the instructions for independent students. If she has little/none, she will qualify for maximum federal/state aid and may also be awarded some institutional grants. She will also qualify for Stafford loans in her own name and may be offered some Perkins loan money too. Beyond that, who pays the difference is up to her and her family to figure out. Hopefully she has applied to some schools that will be affordable!</p>
<p>Wait, I don’t think I was clear. She was 12 when her mother became her guardian again. Is she still independent? Do you know what the exact rule is for determining whether FAFSA considers you independent? Also, she has no income. Cool. :)</p>
<p>No she is not independent based on being a foster child before age 13, the requirement is that she have been in foster care after she turned 13. If her Mom is present in her life then her info may be required. But if Mom has no income then that is actually a good thing as her EFC will be low based on her Mom’s income. If Mom is not around then she may qualify as independent but it may required a dependency override from the college (depending on the situation).</p>
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Even if they were her legal guardians they would not be considered parent by FAFSA and their income would not be considered.</p>
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<p>There are also other criteria that may make her independent such as being homeless, in legal guardianship etc.</p>
<p>If she can become your foster sister again, that would be helpful for her in the long run. I am guessing getting mom’s info would not be a picnic (or she would be living with her mom, right?). If she is a foster child at any time after the age of 13, she is automatically independent & will be a household of 1 using only her income (if any). In addition, some states have scholarships for students who were in foster care … my state has some really good programs. If she is living with your family unofficially, it really may benefit her in the long run to make that official. It would also benefit your family, as they would receive state benefit payments to assist with her living expenses. It may not be that simple, but it is worth exploring.</p>