Worksheet
A
Question #40
Section 6; Step 3
Welfare benefits, TANF |
Q:
My foster parents get Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF) or welfare benefits for me because I am a ward of
the court. Is this my income?
A: No. These benefits are income for the
person receiving them. Do not include as part of your income
any TANF or welfare benefits received by another person
even if they are designated for your support or care. |
Worksheet
A
Question #40
Section 6; Step 3
Welfare benefits, TANF |
Q:
My grandmother (aunt, etc.) gets TANF or welfare benefits
for me because I am a ward of the court. Is this my income?
A: No. These benefits are income for the
person receiving them. Do not include as part of your income
any TANF or welfare benefits received by another person
even if they are designated for your support or care. |
Worksheet
B
Question #41
Section 6; Step 3
Free child care |
Q:
I am a single mom with one child and will get free day care
for my child (from a grandmother, aunt, or free day care
center) while I go to college. Does this “free”
income have to be reported on the FAFSA?
A: No, this service is not income and the
information is not collected on the FAFSA. However, note
that you need to let your school know that you are receiving
free dependent care; an allowance for dependent care may
not be added to your cost of attendance. |
Question
#51
Section 2; Step 2
"Do you have children who receive
more than half of their support from you?" |
Q:
I have a child who will be living with me and my income
will be from TANF. Do I answer “yes” to Question
#51? Are TANF or welfare benefits considered to be like
earned income?
A: You would answer yes to this question
as long as you provide more than half of the child’s
support.
Note: TANF or welfare benefits that are paid to you are
considered untaxed income and would be listed in Step 2,
Worksheet A. |
Question
#53
Section 2; Step 2
"Are
(a) both of your parents deceased, or
(b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of
the court?" |
Q:
I am a ward of the court but graduated from high
school and then went to live with my mother for two months.
Did I lose my independent status?
A: A student is considered to be independent
if he or she is a ward of the court, or was a ward of the
court until the individual reached the age of 18. If your
ward of the court status changed before you reached age
18, you may be considered dependent on your parent. In that
case, you should talk about your situation with the financial
aid administrator at your college. |
Question
#53
Section 2; Step 2
"Are
(a) both of your parents deceased, or
(b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of
the court?" |
Q:
I am a dependent child of the court of my county. Is this
the same as a “ward” of the court?
A: The term “ward” is used
to mean “dependent” of the court. You are a
ward of the court (regardless whether this status is determined
by the county or state) if the court has assumed custody
of you. You should have court ordered documents that designate
you a ward of the court. |
Question
#53
Section 2; Step 2
"Are
(a) both of your parents deceased, or
(b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of
the court?" |
Q:
I am no longer under the court because my foster parents
took legal guardianship of me a few years ago. However,
my foster parents do not support me with their own financial
resources. They still get a foster care check each month
for me. How do I answer question #53?
A: You can still be a ward of the court
if you have a legal guardian or foster parents; check with
the court to determine your current status.
Note: Neither legal guardians nor foster parents are considered
parents when completing the FAFSA. |
Question
#53
Section 2; Step 2
"Are
(a) both of your parents deceased, or
(b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of
the court?" |
Q:
My parents died when I was very young. My grandparents are
my court appointed, legal guardians. They have provided
support for me all my life. How do I complete the FAFSA?
A: You must complete the FAFSA as an independent
student. A legal guardian is not considered a parent for
purposes of completing the FAFSA. |
Question
#53
Section 2; Step 2
"Are
(a) both of your parents deceased, or
(b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of
the court?" |
Q:
I turned 18 and graduated, so my court case was closed.
My college is saying I am no longer an independent student
because I’m no longer a ward of the court. Am I considered
dependent or independent?
A: You are considered to be independent
if you are a ward of the court, or were a ward of the court
until you reached the age of 18. You should check “yes”
to this question. |
Question #84
Section 4; Step 2
Number in household |
Q:
I live with my foster parents and their children. Are they
my “family members?”
A: No. If you are considered independent
(for example, because you are a ward of the court), and
you have no dependent children of your own, you are a family
of one (yourself). |
Question
#100
Step 7
Signatures |
Q:
I have filled out this form as an independent student because
I am a ward of the court. Do I need my father’s and/or
mother’s signature(s)? I don’t live with them,
but I see them sometimes.
A: No. Because of your status as a ward
of the court, you are considered an independent applicant;
parental signatures are not required.
|
Source:
California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) and the National
Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)
Rev. 1/20/2006
|
