FA Professionals--question about dependent/independent status in guardianship

garland
Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:20:49 +0000

I’m working with a student in my program who has been getting unclear information from our somewhat uneven FA department, so I’m wondering if some of you experts could help.

The young woman grew up with mom and step-dad; dad is out of picture and there is minimal contact. Mom died when girl was just short of 17; she was ward of state for almost a year, then step-dad was named guardian. (she is now a soph in college.)

School switched her dependency status back and forth, but seems to have it on Dependent. Has implied that it has to be because step-dad claims her on taxes.

My questions:

1. if she can say yes to being a ward of state and having a legal guardian in the past, doesn’t that automatically make her independent?

2) If that were the case, her step-dad could still claim her on taxes, correct?

3) If independent, besides her very low earnings, what would she have to list on FAFSA as far as step-dad’s support?

Any info would be greatly appreciated. I will of course call FA tomorrow, but as I said, I think they may be botching this one, and the more accurate info I have, the more chance I have of clarifying this situation for the student.

Thanks in advance!