Legal Guardianship
Legal Guardianship
“As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship?”
What This Means
This question determines if you qualify as an independent student, which affects whether you need to provide parental financial information.
Key Definitions
- Legal Guardianship: A relationship where a court appoints someone other than your parent or stepparent to be your legal guardian.
- Not Considered Legal Guardians: Biological or adoptive parents, even if they were appointed as guardians, are not considered legal guardians for FAFSA purposes.
When to Answer "Yes"
You should answer "Yes" if:
- A court in your state appointed someone other than your parent or stepparent as your legal guardian, and
- This guardianship was in effect at the time you reached the age of majority in your state (usually 18), or
- The guardianship is currently in effect.
Answering "Yes" means you're considered an independent student and won't need to provide parental financial information on your FAFSA.
When to Answer "No"
You should answer "No" if:
- You were in legal guardianship that ended before you reached the age of majority.
- You were adopted after being in legal guardianship.
- You were under the care of a foster parent or in foster care without a court-appointed legal guardian.
- Your guardianship was informal and not court appointed.
In these cases, you'll likely need to provide parental financial information unless you qualify as independent through other criteria.
Documentation
If you answer "Yes," be prepared to provide documentation, such as a court order, to verify your legal guardianship status.
Need Help?
If you're unsure about your status or how to answer this question, contact the financial aid office. We can provide guidance based on your specific circumstances.