Complicated guardianship for financial aid?

swimcatsmom
Tue, 24 May 2011 22:48:35 +0000

I suspect what will be important is who is counting you as a dependent on the annual tax forms. IF your aunt claimed you for 2010, then I suspect you have to use her income for the current FAFSA.

No, that is not the case at all for FAFSA. The only people who ever count as parents on FAFSA are parents (including step parents and adoptive parents). Guardians, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles etc are never reported on FAFSA (unless they have legally adopted the student). Having claimed the student on tax return does not make a difference. FAFSA rules are quite clear on this.



A foster parent, legal guardian or a grandparent or other relative is not treated as a parent for purposes of filing a FAFSA unless that person has legally adopted the applicant. An adoptive parent is treated in the same manner as a biological parent on the FAFSA.