Technically a U.S. Citizen but not "officially"... what to write on FAFSA

[AforAmbition]

<p>I've lived in the United States for 17 years and I'm legally a U.S. citizen since my dad is a U.S. citizen. We kind of lagged on my official paperwork but we sent it in a few months ago, but haven't received the acceptance materials and etc. </p>

<p>So on FAFSA, CSS, etc., would I list myself as a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident? Because I AM a citizen but I don't know if they indicate that in my official records if I don't have my paperwork yet?</p>

<p>Does it make a difference in amount of aid whether I am a citizen or a permanent resident?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

[mom2collegekids]

<p>Do you officially have “legal resident” status? Or are you in some kind of limbo without any paperwork.</p>

<p>If you do have a green card, then your aid would be same for most schools. I think only a small number require actual citizen status.</p>

[mazewanderer]

<p>You are a citizen if the following conditions are met</p>

<p>

Biological or Adopted Children Residing in the United States</p>

<p>A child automatically becomes a U.S. citizen when all of the following conditions have been met under section 320 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended by the Child Citizenship Act (CCA):</p>

<pre><code>At least one parent of the child is a U.S. citizen, whether by birth or naturalization.
The child is under the age of 18 years.
The child is residing in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent based on a lawful admission for permanent residence.
An adopted child may automatically become a citizen under section 320 of the INA if the child satisfies the requirements applicable to adopted children under sections 101(b)(1)(E), (F) or (G) of the INA.
</code></pre>

<p>To qualify as a “child” for purposes of section 320 of the INA, the individual must be unmarried. Also, a person who was born out of wedlock (meaning that the parents were not married at the time of the person’s birth), must be “legitimated” while under the age of 16 and while in the legal custody of the legitimating parent. See section 101(c)(1) of the INA. Finally, a stepchild who has not been adopted does not qualify as a child under this section.</p>

<p>A person who satisfies the requirements of section 320 of the INA before turning 18 automatically obtains citizenship without having to file an application. However, in order to obtain a certificate of citizenship from USCIS, an individual must file Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship. To obtain a U.S. Passport, visit the Department of State’s Apply for a U.S. Passport webpage.</p>

<p>Individuals who were age 18 or older on February 27, 2001, do not qualify for citizenship under section 320 of the INA as amended by the CCA. A person who was over the age of 18 on February 27, 2001, may, however, be a citizen under the law in effect prior to the enactment of the CCA. If you believe this may apply to you, please visit our Contact Us page to call our National Customer Service Center.

</p>

<p>If those conditions apply to you, you can mention that you are citizen. If those conditions do not apply, then you have to go through a naturalization process. Again not a lawyer, but if you fulfill the above conditions, then the instructions say “automatically obtain citizenship”. My interpretation is that you are a citizen as you do not have to file paperwork unless you need proof of citizenship. Call USCIS if you have questions.</p>

<p>[USCIS</a> - Biological or Adopted Children Residing in the United States](<a href=“http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d4c3a3ac86aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=d4c3a3ac86aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD]USCIS”>http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d4c3a3ac86aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=d4c3a3ac86aa3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD)</p>

[AforAmbition]

<p>Yes I do fall under those categories, and I only filed for my certificate just to have it on hand (and that stuff hasn’t come back yet).</p>

<p>I’ll identify myself as a citizen then - Thanks!</p>