DreamingOf

Hi,

I've had no contact with my custodial parent since I was sixteen. I've lived with my grandmother since then. She doesn't pay anything towards my upbringing and I haven't had any contact with her whatsoever. She got married when I was a kid but my dad never did. I know if I got back in touch my mother, it'd be more trouble that it would be worth because she'd refuse to file the FAFSA. My grandmother would be happy to fill it out but she's not my legal guardian even though I've lived with her these last couple of years & I don't think she can fill it out even then. Is there anything I can do?

(:

okigotoschoolnow

I think this is one of the circumstances where you need to contact financial aid offices independently.

Hopefully you can provide taxes that prove you've supported yourself. Schools will vary greatly in their policies regarding this kind of circumstance. I'm guessing they're going to ask for your parent(s) taxes though. They're claiming you as a dependent, I'm sure. So the school is going to see you as such.

(Im going through the same thing - trying to work it out financially in an atypical scenario)