My mother passed my grandmother has legal guardianship am I considered independent or would I have to put my fathers information even though my grandmother has guardianship?
Having a legal guardian qualifies you as an independent student and you do not have to report your parents’ income on FAFSA. However, it would be best to check with your school's financial aid office for additional clarification.
Ok so it’s a very long story but the short and sweet version is that my parents left me on my grandparents doorstep nearly ten years ago and I have been claimed as a dependent on there taxes but they don’t legally have custody of me or ever tried to fight it in court, they have claimed guardianship so I can get state Medicaid for health insurance but that’s preety much it and I’m trying to figure out how to fill out my fasfa with the situation I’m in
You should contact the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend to find out how to file and what supporting documentation you'll need to submit directly to the school.
I am 18, got kicked out of my parents house. Living on my own now and I work to provide for myself. My parents absolutely refuse to provide their income. I answered the questions truthfully and I keep getting errors saying my parents income is required. I can't provide it. I called the school and they said without parent income I get no aid. I also can't take out loans because I need a cosigner which I don't have. Is college over for me?
I live on my own and provide all my expenses. Do you think I would be a independent. I’ve been on my own for 2 1/2 years. 21 years old GED graduate looking for a life change before I am considered a non traditional student.
I have been accepted to grad school, but my school hasn't awarded me very much aid, and I'll need to take out more loans if I don't get more scholarship money. Any recommendations?
Possibly. Since she was in a legal guardianship with someone other than her parents, she might be considered independent. Please check with your interested school's financial aid office or call FAFSA directly for more guidance.
i saw it said homeless or at risk for homelessness. my family forcefully took me across the country when i was trying to stay in ca for school they then tried to throw me out multiple times they are very toxic and one was previously abusive in my adolescence. i’m trying to completely separate and pay for school with my own loans . i may have one counselor willing to vouch for me but would a letter from a counselor or simple back story suffice? & would you recommend explaining this on the phone with the fafsa office?
Every school has their own set of criteria on what they could accept for documentation to file a dependency appeal - you'll want to contact the college for more information. They would be the ones to do any overrides - if you contacted FAFSA, they would more than likely tell you to contact the college.
My daughters father whom she was living with while in college passed away last year. They still wanted his info for some reason. She was going to try to file independent but they want my info. Is this normal?
Yes. It is difficult to prove or file as an independent student if the student is under 24 years old, single, or not a parent. If the custodial parent passed away then they will want the other parent's information. You may need to contact the school's financial aid office to explain your situation and see if they can offer alternatives.
Even though your son is 18, he would still need to provide parent's information for FAFSA purposes. He could appeal to schools and explain his situation, after FAFSA is processed, to see if they would take that into consideration.
im under 24 but im married, so i would be considered independent on there. so only my spouse and i would be on there. are my parents still able to pay for the remainder of my college food and housing until im out of college though?
FAFSA will only include your and your spouse's information. Parents can still pay for any expenses since they can pay the bill directly with the school. That shouldn't affect any aid you might receive. However, every school has different policies, so you may want to check with them to ensure that it won't impact your aid.
Why do you think your student might be independent or why do you think you are independent? Comment below!
My mother passed my grandmother has legal guardianship am I considered independent or would I have to put my fathers information even though my grandmother has guardianship?
Having a legal guardian qualifies you as an independent student and you do not have to report your parents’ income on FAFSA. However, it would be best to check with your school's financial aid office for additional clarification.
Ok so it’s a very long story but the short and sweet version is that my parents left me on my grandparents doorstep nearly ten years ago and I have been claimed as a dependent on there taxes but they don’t legally have custody of me or ever tried to fight it in court, they have claimed guardianship so I can get state Medicaid for health insurance but that’s preety much it and I’m trying to figure out how to fill out my fasfa with the situation I’m in
You should contact the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend to find out how to file and what supporting documentation you'll need to submit directly to the school.
Thank you so much! this was incredibly helpful 😀
Glad it was helpful!
I am 18, got kicked out of my parents house. Living on my own now and I work to provide for myself. My parents absolutely refuse to provide their income. I answered the questions truthfully and I keep getting errors saying my parents income is required. I can't provide it. I called the school and they said without parent income I get no aid. I also can't take out loans because I need a cosigner which I don't have. Is college over for me?
Every school has different policies. You could try with different schools and hopefully you can find one willing to work with you and your situation.
Please talk to financial counselors at your community college 🙏🏻
I live on my own and provide all my expenses. Do you think I would be a independent. I’ve been on my own for 2 1/2 years. 21 years old GED graduate looking for a life change before I am considered a non traditional student.
You would need to contact your school's financial aid office to see if you would qualify as an independent student.
I have been accepted to grad school, but my school hasn't awarded me very much aid, and I'll need to take out more loans if I don't get more scholarship money. Any recommendations?
You should consider searching for fellowships. This database could be a good starting point. grad.ucla.edu/funding/#/
thescholarshipsystem.com/blog-for-students-families/pay-grad-school-without-student-loans/
Is my student independent if she is 18 and lives with her grandparents who have temporary guardianship since the age of 7.
Possibly. Since she was in a legal guardianship with someone other than her parents, she might be considered independent. Please check with your interested school's financial aid office or call FAFSA directly for more guidance.
i saw it said homeless or at risk for homelessness. my family forcefully took me across the country when i was trying to stay in ca for school they then tried to throw me out multiple times they are very toxic and one was previously abusive in my adolescence. i’m trying to completely separate and pay for school with my own loans . i may have one counselor willing to vouch for me but would a letter from a counselor or simple back story suffice?
& would you recommend explaining this on the phone with the fafsa office?
Every school has their own set of criteria on what they could accept for documentation to file a dependency appeal - you'll want to contact the college for more information. They would be the ones to do any overrides - if you contacted FAFSA, they would more than likely tell you to contact the college.
My daughters father whom she was living with while in college passed away last year. They still wanted his info for some reason. She was going to try to file independent but they want my info. Is this normal?
Yes. It is difficult to prove or file as an independent student if the student is under 24 years old, single, or not a parent. If the custodial parent passed away then they will want the other parent's information. You may need to contact the school's financial aid office to explain your situation and see if they can offer alternatives.
My son is on his own. He is 18.
Even though your son is 18, he would still need to provide parent's information for FAFSA purposes. He could appeal to schools and explain his situation, after FAFSA is processed, to see if they would take that into consideration.
im under 24 but im married, so i would be considered independent on there. so only my spouse and i would be on there. are my parents still able to pay for the remainder of my college food and housing until im out of college though?
FAFSA will only include your and your spouse's information. Parents can still pay for any expenses since they can pay the bill directly with the school. That shouldn't affect any aid you might receive. However, every school has different policies, so you may want to check with them to ensure that it won't impact your aid.
Independent because working and supporting self
I know Fafsa is changing but I will be turning 24 July 2024 I believe I would be considered an independent but honestly I cannot tell
For the 2024-25 award year, you are an independent student if you were born before Jan. 1, 2001.
This applies to me how do I move forward with becoming independent.