I’m confused on who to put down for parent information in the CSS profile. My mom passed away when I was 9 and I left my abusive father years ago. I live with my older sister and was named homeless by the county a few years ago. My older sister isn’t my legal guardian, but she is my “custodial parent”. I have no way of contacting my dad for any of this information. What do I do?
How is your older sister your “custodial parent”?
@thumper1 : I believe some states may use the term more broadly than in the marital dissolution custodial/non-custodial parent context to refer to someone who is essentially a foster parent when, as might be the case here, legal guardianship remains with the state or county.
@thaovyvan : I do not know the answer to your question. It’s a toughie. Were your father’s parental rights officially/legally terminated? Are you an emancipated minor? There may be different words for these tings in your state. Do you have a college counselor in your school who can help? You might email the college board and see what response you get. Or, Google for children’s legal services in your area.
@AboutTheSame I am an unaccompanied youth. My biological father refuses to give up custody, even though I haven’t seen him in over 6 years. He gives me 0 financial support and I haven’t talked to him. Even though my sister has taken care of me, she doesn’t have legal custody.
Do you have a social worker with your city/county? They should be able to help you figure out how to complete the CSS.
@OspreyCV22 I have a homeless liaison at school, but they can’t talk to me until Monday. I’m not sure if this is enough time to complete my CSS Profile, since it’s due Nov 1. (I was just recently named as a Questbridge finalist and didn’t have plans to apply early action until finding out)
If the student is in foster care, or otherwise has state guardianship, the student is independent for financial aid purposes and would not need to provide any financial information from anyone else but herself.
This is why I asked. How is it that this student feels her sister is her custodial parent?
Apply to few schools that only require the FAFSA. You’ll be in good shape at those schools if they “meet need.”
Fill out what you can with the CSS and talk to your liaison on Monday. That’s the 26th so you can send it that evening. You might end up having to get proof from her that your dad does not provide any support.
^^I think Thumper is correct. You are probably considered in state custody and therefore independent for financial aid. Make sure you get some papers to prove it.
@thumper1 : Not knowing what state OP is in or what terms they might use, I thought it useful to offer a couple of thoughts and ask a few questions. I was not contradicting you: I thought I was fleshing out the question you asked.
how were you named “homeless” ? By a court? or agency?
If this student is considered independent…then you are correct…the FAFSA would,be the way to go.
BUT if the student is not considered independent…and the sister is not a guardian…then the father would be the custodial parent for FAFSA purposes…because he is the only loving parent the student has. Doesn’t matter that she lives elsewhere.
Having said all of that…to the OP…do you have documentation of the abuse issues…a child protective services complaint, a police report, something in your school record? Of so, you might be eligible for,a dependency overrode by the financial aid officers at your schools. You would need to apply for this dependent override to each school…but with the documentation, it is very possible you would be deemed indeomednt for financial aid purposes.
If you are doing a Profile now, it sounds like you are applying early someplace. Contact that School and ask the, what to do to get a dependency override. Explain your situation, and be prepared to document it. They should be able to tell you what to do.
@thaovyvan how did you fill out the financials for QuestBridge?
I’m so sorry for your situation. There have been great strides made in assisting students who are unaccompanied youth. For FAFSA, you will be considered independent due to being declared an unaccompanied youth under the Mckinney Vento Act. I don’t know for CSS … I had trouble finding that info. It might be a good idea to contact a school you are interested in that requires CSS & ask them. Here is a really good link that you may find helpful: http://www.naehcy.org/sites/default/files/dl/toolkit.pdf.
You may want to take a look at these lists of full tuition to full ride merit scholarships that do not depend on convincing the colleges that you are financially needy or independent of your father. If you have the academics to apply to many of the Questbridge schools, it is likely that you qualify for some of the automatic full rides that can be safety candidates for you. You can apply to these in addition to the ones where you hope to get need-based financial aid.
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
http://competitivefulltuition.yolasite.com/
http://nmfscholarships.yolasite.com/
@OspreyCV22 Because I am applying to schools through Questbridge, I can only use the CSS Profile. FAFSA would be much easier, but this is the way to go.
@thumper1 I get that my dad is more than likely going to be the parent, but I’m worried about having to get tax returns from him because I don’t have any means of contacting him whatsoever. There is nothing I have that legally states he was abusive, so that’s another issue.
I don’t know Questbridge rules but I’ve read here that the chance of getting matched is slim. Is there a rule that says you can’t apply anywhere outside of Questbridge? If you receive free or reduced lunch I believe you can get free application fees at most schools. If it’s allowed apply to some in state safeties either EA or RD that only accept FAFSA. Try some of the automatic free tuition schools on the link ucbalumnus posted above. Apply to a couple where your stats are above the 75th percentile on the Common Data set.
If you have the stats (which are?), lock down an automatic full ride safety from the list linked in #13. Be aware that some may have early application deadlines for the scholarships.
For FAFSA and federal student aid, here is how your dependent/independent status is determined:
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/dependency
Pay particular attention to these questions:
Of course, schools using CSS Profile may have other tests beyond the federal student aid tests.
Can you contact Questbridge and ask this question?
Ultimately you will need to fill out FAFSA, but not until January 1.
@thaovyvan be aware that even for colleges that require CSS profile you also have to file FAFSA. The FAFSA required to qualify you for the federal portion of any aid. It sounds to me that you are Independent for filing the FAFSA. See the chart, last question-- if you answer Yes to any then you file independent. Gather and keep the documents you got from the county.
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/dependency
Contact the financial aid officer for any school you apply to for specific instructions on the CSS Profile. Here is a FAQ about CSS Profile, see 3rd question for independent students.
https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/CollegePlanning/media/pdf/profile-webinar-faqs.pdf
It doesn’t matter if you apply for a Questbridge partner or not, and you may apply RD to both partners and non partners. Partners will get your QB application too. If you choose to Match, that is like an ED commitment (excepting the 4 partners who do not make the acceptance binding.) The CSS will go to any school that requires that document.