Adopted from orphanage as a baby.

Paying for College
1

<p>Hi,
If a child was found abandoned and put in a foster home then adopted as a 6 month old baby would this qualify as checking off the “lived in foster care” box when applying for scholarships?
This is our daughter’s situation. And the foster home was in the country of China.
Thanks</p>

2

<p><a href=“https://fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1314/help/fahelp44.htm[/url]”>https://fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1314/help/fahelp44.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>No, the box should not be checked in that situation.</p>

3

<p>No. You are this child’s parents.</p>

4

<p>I can’t believe you’re asking this question. </p>

<p>You adopted this child. She’s yours. That question would not apply to her. </p>

<p>:rolleyes:</p>

<p>The response should be Yes if:</p>

<p>The student had no living parent (biological or adoptive) at any time since the student turned age 13, even if they are now adopted, or</p>

<p>The student was in foster care at any time since they turned age 13, even if the student is no longer in foster care as of today, or</p>

<p>The student was a dependent/ward of the court at any time since they turned age 13, even if the student is no longer a dependent/ward of the court as of today.</p>

<p>The response should be No if the student does not meet any of these criteria.</p>

<p>Note: A student is not considered a ward of the court based solely on incarceration.</p>

5

<p>I didn’t know that. I had no idea that there was an age 13 rule in place, I thought any adopted child was considered just a a biological child as long as the adoption took place prior to the filing of the FAFSA or end of the tax year. </p>

<p>So any child who was a dependent/ward of the court at ANY time after age 13 is considered a foster child for FAFSA purposes? New to me.</p>

<p>OP: I would also check the rules of any scholarships and programs asking these questions, as they may have different criteria than FAFSA. There may be awards specifically for those children adopted or spent any time as a foster child. Private scholarships can define things just about any way they please. Who would have known that there was an age 13 provision in FAFSA? I sure didn’t.</p>

6

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<p>No, not necessarily. A child can be a ward of the court and not necessarily be placed in the foster care system (for example; children who are in group homes). However, for federal aid purposes, a child who is a ward of the court, in legal guardianship or in foster care after the age of 13 can be considered independent for federal aid. </p>

<p>FAFSA asks specific questions that minor children may specifically fall under </p>

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<p>This does not automatically translate to state aid or institutional aid.</p>

<p>For example to be eligible for EVT state aid, the student will have to be in foster care at age 16 or older</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.statevoucher.org/[/url]”>https://www.statevoucher.org/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>In the case f the OP’s situation, his/her child will not be eligible for federal or state aid. Op will have to seek out private scholarships from organizations which take her situation into consideration and will award a scholarship.</p>