I am renewing my FAFSA for 2007-2008. Last year I did it wrong because I put my legal guardians as my parents. There is really no place to explain my situation because I am not a ward of the state, but my mother is dead and my father left me so my grandparents are my legal guardians. How can I explain this on my FAFSA?
2007-04-06 10:57:33 · 3 answers · asked by jacobm_24 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Financial Aid
Ok, here's what you do, take your FAFSA, filled out with all of your information, a copy of the legal guardianship papers that name your grandparents as guardians, your mother's death certificate, and a letter from a disinterested third party (read this as doctor, lawyer, clergyman, school counselor) who can attest on their letterhead that you have been abandoned by your father (as long as you don't have contact with him at all) and go to your college's financial aid office after having made an appointment to meet with a counselor.
Explain to the counselor what you have explained here, give them this documentation and your FAFSA and request a DEPENDENCY OVERRIDE. They will probably ask you to put this in writing and may also ask your grandparents to write a letter as well (ask about this when you call to make the appointment). If the override is allowed you have to renew it annually, and if you change schools you'll need to do this all over again (each school allows it on their own judgment and does not have to accept the decision of another school).
Yes, it's a little bit painful, but it is the means allowed to help you out of this situation.
2007-04-06 12:25:19 · answer #1 · answered by mickiinpodunk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's always a way explain the situation to your financial aid office, I'm pretty sure they can help. I don't see why you shouldn't be able to put your grandparents. if they truly are your legal gurdians. The most likeley thing that can happen when you submit your FAFSA is that you're gonna get a letter sent to your house explaining what you did wrong and what you need in order for your appl. to be processed. Most likeley it's going to have to do with your guardians income tax return where you should be listed as a dependant. If your grandparents don't longer work they should at least have some way of proving that they are responsible for you.
2007-04-06 11:13:37 · answer #2 · answered by Xrissxross 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there should be a space on the form you check off as to rather its your parents or legal guardian.
2007-04-06 11:02:50 · answer #3 · answered by george 2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋