<p>Is FAFSA/CSS based on who you live with or who claimed you on taxes? I live with my grandmother and she is my guardian and has all the custodial rights, but not the official title of being my legal official guardian. (my mother has that but signed off this paper) My mother however claimed me on her taxes without us knowing this past year. (complicated issue) Will I have to put her information even though I receive absolutely no support from her whatsoever or can I solely use my grandmother? (Father is out of picture.) I am in a really complicated situation and I was wondering if any of you know or have any advice.</p>
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I suggest a trip to family court and get your grandmother to become your legal guardian. This can be done without your mother’s permission - depending on the circumstances.</p>
<p>Once your grandmother becomes your legal guardian, you file FAFSA as an independent student. I don’t know the rules for Profile.</p>
<p>You can’t use your grandmother on FAFSA. You could only use her if she had officially adopted you. If she was your official guardian under a court order then you would be considered independent for FAFSA and would not have to provide parent data. But if she is not officially your guardian then generally you would have to use your mother. I think it would take some sort of an over ride from the school to make you eligible to be independent and this would require paperwork proving that you meet the criteria fro an over ride - abusive home situation, abandonment etc. The fact that your mother claims you on her taxes does complicate things as that indicates that there is some sort of relationship which may it harder to prove you meet the criteria. Hopefully a financial aid officer will see this post and give you more concrete advice.</p>
<p>CSS would also be complicated as normally they require the info of both parents. Again you would probably have to try and get an over ride to not have to provide parent data.</p>
<p>It will not be an easy process but is doable if you can prove that the parents are not in the picture and have not been for a while. Usually this requires stuff such as any court papers showing there was an abusive situation, and/or letters from clergy, school counselors medical professionals etc that know your situation…</p>
<p>The fact that your mother claimed you on her taxes is irrelevant for financial aid purposes. Don’t worry about that part.</p>
<p>What sort of legal standing does your grandmother have? Does she have limited guardianship? It would be ideal if your grandmother can get a court-ordered guardianship that would allow you to be considered independent (not sure how old you are …). Were you ever in foster care for even a day after the age of 13? That will also make you independent. </p>
<p>If you can’t say yes to guardianship or foster care, you WILL need mom’s info on your FAFSA. I understand that you might not be able to get this, though. If that’s the case, you should apply for a dependency override. I am assuming that the reason you are with your grandmother is because your mother is unable to take care of you for some reason. You will need to very clearly explain WHY you are not living with your mother. You will need to get letters from others that also very clearly explain WHY you are not living with your mother. Specific incidents should be outlined (drug abuser; left you alone for 3 days without adult supervision; physically abusive; mentally ill; etc). Do not “fake” her information, sign with a PIN you got for her, etc. - I have seen desperate students resort to that - if you can’t legitimately get her information, you should try for the dependency override.</p>
<p>restless - kelsmom is a financial aid officer in real life so hers is good advice to follow.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the advice, especially, kelsmom. Because I live in a small town, we have had none available.</p>
<p>My grandmother only has a paper signed by an attorney that gives my grandmother all the rights of a legal guardian, without the title. (Stuff like “she can go on international travel; she can attend school wherever” etc.) Dependency ovverride would be extremely difficult, but maybe possible. I am seventeen, senior in high school. Is it too late to get my grandmother to be my legal guardian or limited guardian? We should have done this a long time ago, but we feared it would anger my mom. Would FAFSA find that fishy with such a quick change over if it was possible? This extends far beyond just trying to get as much financial aid as possible now that we know this.</p>
<p>It is not too late in terms of financial aid for the guardianship change. It’s not “fishy” at all. However, only you and your grandmother can decide if it’s a good idea for grandma to request legal guardianship. I don’t know the situation with your mother, and I don’t want you to do anything that is unsafe. </p>
<p>Dependency overrides are not guaranteed, so getting into legal guardianship before the age of 18 is ideal from a financial aid standpoint. You would not have to worry about getting your mother’s information or signature … ever. Don’t feel that you don’t have options if you are unable to do this, though. While dependency overrides are never guaranteed, they do happen. If you are required to get mom’s info & you cannot do so, there are most likely circumstances that merit a review of your overall situation. Please don’t be discouraged.</p>
<p>This forum has many posters who have an excellent knowledge of financial aid regulations. You can always return for advice!</p>
<p>Due to the loss of a lot of official paperwork, I won’t be able to change my guardianship in time. However, I’ve been talking to FAFSA and CSS and we’ll see what happens come October and January. Thank you so much for the help though.</p>
<p>You CAN talk to the school to see if it might be possible to get a dependency override. I don’t know your personal situation, but if there is “more to the story,” it’s worth exploring.</p>