<p>You have come to the same conclusion that I did; ED is not for anyone who wants/needs financial aid and has to compare offers. Get your UF app out early to make sure you have the safety in your pocket. Though you "may" get some special exception regarding your family situation, it is not likely. You are very likely to be hit with your mom/stepdad 's financial picture. Yes, the way it stands is that unless you can be declared independent (age 24, veteran, married, have a dependent, etc), your custodial parent and spouse are primarily responsible for your education. Just as though you were in high school. Still a school such as Davidson might take your situation into account and give you leeway in aid if they accept you. BUt you cannot depend on it. Interestingly, you are considered a resident of your mom's state of residence as well as actual state of residence so you can look at those state schools as well. Make sure you do not have residency issues with Florida's s rules with the BF grant. Talk to your counselor about this.</p>
<p>Yeah, ED isn't looking like a smart path. I'm just going to figure out what my full-tuition safeties are and then also apply to my favorite schools to see if they end up being feasible. </p>
<p>I have started my UF app (done, except for scores/essays) but as I said above I don't think (atm) its going to be my in-state school anymore, and I won't qualify for BF (bright futures). </p>
<p>Sadly, Arizona's schools (where my mother lives, and currently where my legal residence is) are considered considerably worse than UF, especially in my fields (if I were going into science, it would be nicer.)</p>
<p>I'm trying to get it all figured out, especially the residence and state scholarship deals. Because if I don't qualify for in-state tuition in Arizona or Florida, then I'm really in some trouble.</p>
<p>TT- do make sure you follow the rules and are considered a resident some where. With slightly different rules one could end up with no place to call home based on university residence guidelines, which makes no sense at all, but each school could say no.</p>
<p>It seems I have heard good things about AZ schools providing scholarships for bright kids; I don't know how it compares as it does not affect me, but check that out. Also, look at NAU in Flagstaff, a smaller school not in the desert, which could be an interesting option; they may have some awards and provide more individual attention. My D looked at them OOS and it seemed like a nice little place, not famous, not amazing, but if you are in the top of their stats, you may get some nice individual attention</p>
<p>What do you mean "Follow the rules"?</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm worried I won't be considered legal resident anywhere. I think I could get a full ride at U of A or some less prestigious schools if my in-state safeties were taken away.</p>
<p>When it comes to bright kids, Arizona schools, even for OOS students, do give good scholarships. But the thing is, I'm not interested in any of the Arizona schools, though the choice was huge amounts of debt or U of A, I would be at U of A (of course).</p>
<p>My sister said that FAFSA told her that ONLY a biological parent could fill out the financial aid forms, so even if she became my legal guardian, my mother would still fill out the forms (which would mean lower EFC, most likely, and residency in Florida).</p>
<p>Did your sister tell them that her bio parent was married? The directions on the FAFSA are VERY clear. Information from the bio parent AND their spouse must be included. If your mom were not remarried only she would be filling out the form...with only HER information.</p>
<p>Also, I'm VERY confused...I thought your mom lived in Arizona. Are you thinking that your sister could become your legal guardian? That is a possibility if she is FULLY supporting you but unless your mom terminates her parental rights, I believe that she would still be considered your parent for FAFSA purposes...and both your mom's and your stepdad's incomes will be required.</p>
<p>Your sitiuation is a different one, however. I'm assuming you are attending a public high school in Florida. Colleges look at the place of residency of the parents, student and where the student graduated from high school (if it is not a boarding school) when determining residency. If you graduated from a public high school in FL, AZ will want to know how you can be a resident of AZ (when clearly you didn't live there). I'm guessing that these are the "rules" you need to follow...and check. </p>
<p>If it were me, I would be contacting both FL and AZ to determine what's up residency wise. Regardless, I still think that unless there is some extenuating circumstance we don't know...your mom AND stepdad will be the ones reporting info on the FAFSA (and the PROFILE for any schools that require that as well...like Davidson).</p>
<p>By follow the rules, I mean each school has their own form for determining residency- for instance in CA a UC has a far more stringent list of requirements than a CSU. I have been helping a friend and it looks like after her first year at a CSU she will be able to become a CA resident, that could not happen at a UC. So you have to check the rules at each campus</p>
<p>We've talked to UFlorida a few times, and if my sister became my legal guardian, (she does support me 100%, mother hasn't supported at all for 3+ years) I'd be considered as in-state for Florida. Otherwise, the only way I can get in-state in Florida would to file for Emancipation.</p>
<p>And my sister has also looked at FAFSA's dependency questionnaire - it says that NO legal guardian can fill out the FAFSA (a lot of you have said this, but i think there is some confusion here about this), and that my bio parents would.</p>
<p>It's a shame it's your bio parent + their spouse!!</p>
<p>It's kind of a shame all of these schools that say they will meet 100% of need (and even more so, those who will meet it all w/o loans) to "guarantee that any accepted student can attend" are rather inflexible (at least in my experience so far) and won't adjust for the reality of some situations. Because really, it does not guarantee that everyone admitted can attend. I recognize this can open up the door for cheating the school, but it's kinda a shame.</p>
<p>Since you are looking into all of this early in the process, you may be able to apply for emanciapation. That may take care of your FAFSA issue. Do talk to someone to find out what exact court papers you need in order to be considered independent by FAFSA standards.</p>
<p>If your mother has not supported you at all for 3 years you may be eligible for a special circumstances adjustment called a dependency override. Ask the financial aid department at your school what you would need to do. Make sure you talk to an experienced FA officer - not a WS student (no insult intended to WS students but this needs an experienced person). </p>
<p>finaid has some information
FinAid</a> | Professional Judgment | Dependency Overrides</p>
<p>an excerpt from the page
[quote]
Although these circumstances are not sufficient for a dependency override, they do not preclude it. Sometimes there are additional circumstances that occur in conjunction with these circumstances that do merit a dependency override. These can include the following:</p>
<pre><code>* an abusive family environment (e.g., sexual, physical, or mental abuse or other forms of domestic violence)
*** abandonment by parents**
* incarceration or institutionalization of both parents
* parents lacking the physical or mental capacity to raise the child
* parents whereabouts unknown or parents cannot be located
* parents hospitalized for an extended period
* an unsuitable household (e.g., child removed from the household and placed in foster care)
* married student's spouse dies or student gets divorced
</code></pre>
<p>**Abandonment is the failure of the parent to provide financial support or to communicate with the child for a long time, generally understood to be a year or more
[/quote]
**</p>
<p>Swimcatsmom, do you know what specific legal action definitively makes a student independent of parents? Does emancipation do the job? I ask because if there is such an action, that may be the way to go since the OP or anyone in such situation would then not have to personally discuss situation with every possible college financial aid office and try to get an answer from them. They tend to be very evasive and speak in possibilities rather than certainties unless specific things are in place, and it is better to have those specifics over taking a chance on how an individual FA officer is going to end up deciding when the time comes.</p>
<p>No I have no idea. If the student is made a ward of the court before age 18 that would make him/her independent for FAFSA so that might be a way to go but I have no idea what that entails or if it is doable at this stage. Emancipation does not make you independent for FAFSA.</p>
<p>from Completing</a> the FAFSA 08-09/The Application Questions(48-55)</p>
<p>
[quote]
53. Are (a) both of your parents deceased or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?You should answer "Yes" if both of your parents are deceased and you don't have an adoptive parent. If both your parents are deceased but you have a legal guardian, you should still answer "Yes" to this question.</p>
<p>Answer "Yes" if you are currently a ward/dependent of the court or were a ward/dependent of the court until age 18.</p>
<p>You are not considered a ward/dependent of the court based solely on emancipation (when a child is released from the control of a parent or guardian) or incarceration.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If the OP is under 18 it may be worth discussing what being a ward of the court entails with a lawyer</p>
<p>I never understood what specifically could show that a child is independent, other than if the student was made a ward of the court. Don't even know what the term precisely means.</p>
<p>Me neither. I think kids in the foster system are Wards of the court. Don't know if it would be an option in the OPs circumstances.</p>
<p>Just looked up "ward of the court" at FinAid</a> | Professional Judgment | Ward of the Court. May be the way to go if possible. Sister is already legal guardian, so that part is done. Should check with an attorney or the schools or social services to see if this can be done.</p>
<p>Wow thanks guys for all of this. You are helping me immensely get through this process, and honestly, financial independence is what I will have when I am off at college. </p>
<p>I plan on discussing these things with a county judge (I am a part of teen court/mock trial teams where I live). </p>
<p>** Emancipation/Ward**
But there is something to note - I turn 18 IN ELEVEN DAYS!!!
It seems it is a lot more sensible for these purposes to be a Ward of the Court rather than Emancipated.
Is there really a difference, except a Ward is a minor?</p>
<p>We are going to look into emancipation for in-state tuition purposes in Florida also - but if what I am understanding is correct - becoming emancipated wouldn't really help with FAFSA?</p>
<p>I just read the page on Ward of the Court - and it seems I don't really fit the profile for that. I live with my sister and she is financially responsible for me. My mother did not abuse me or anything like that, and I was never anything like a foster child. </p>
<p>** Dependency Overrides**
Regarding the 'Dependency Overrides':the only thing that it seems would qualify me for that would be abandonment by parents. My father has passed.
I MAY be able to qualify for this. I'm sure it's more technical than just this, though, as everything seems to be.</p>
<p>Here is what qualifies abandonment:<br>
"Abandonment is the failure of the parent to provide financial support or to communicate with the child for a long time, generally understood to be a year or more..... So there are two key elements to the definition of abandonment: (1) no contact for at least a year, and (2) no support for at least a year. "</p>
<p>The big question about this is: is it AND, or OR? If it is no contact AND $$ support for a year+, then I do not qualify. I speak to my mom regularly. If it is no contact OR $$ support for a year+, I MAY qualify - as my mom (of course I think this is true, I bet there are many technical aspects that would have to prove this) has not provided financial support for me for almost 3 years by grad (since summer of 2006).</p>
<p>and yeah cpt I agree with not understanding what independent actually means. It seems like every common sense answer regarding all of this financial stuff is off by miles. None of it makes too much sense.</p>
<p>Forgot this stuff:</p>
<p>oh yeah. the only thing my mom DOES give me is health insurance. my step dads insurance covered me when I moved, and they have just kept me under it, along with my other brothers and sisters.</p>
<p>Also - my brother is currently in college. He is about to turn 21. I don't think he even bothered filling out FAFSA. If I remember right, EFC is basically halved if another brother or sister is in college. So, would I have to have him fill out FAFSA for my mom/stepdad's EFC for me to be halved?</p>
<p>You need to be a ward of the court, not just emancipated according to the site I put on my last post. </p>
<p>As for your brother, is he on fin aid at all? If he is, he virtually had to fill out FAFSA. And yes, he would need to fill out the FAFSA as well in order to halve the EFC.</p>
<p>Actually we filled out my daughters FAFSA last year and put 2 in college because my son was in college (just for a semester as it turned out) but did not ever do a FAFSA for him as we did mot think he would qualify for aid with the income her had the previous year. She was verified and we had to provide his name and the school he was attending - it did not matter that we had not filed FAFSA for him.</p>
<p>thanks. so he would not have to do anything, I just put him on my FAFSA, and they can verify he's in college?</p>
<p>Yeah, and I dont think I would qualify as a ward of the court, not to mention I'd have to have it done within the week. it seems to me that there would have to be some reason for the court to take custody of me for me to become a ward of the court. which i have not been abandoned by all, or abused etc. so I don't see it happening lol.</p>
<p>I have a little bit of hope in possible emancipation or legal guardianship of my sister, and dependancy override</p>
<p>^^that is how it worked for us - if you are verified they will ask for the information about your brother and his school.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>