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Can I get financial help while living abroad?

Can you get Fafsa college help if you are under 21 and living on your own?

  • I have a half sister who lives with me and does not currently work yet. She is 19 years old. She used to live in NY in shelters now she lives with me in Chicago. She does not no anything about her father. We lost contact with our mother. Can she still get help from fafsa? Since if you are under 24 you are required to get help from parents. I support her since I work and I am married. I am trying to find out if I can claim her as a dependent or allowence of something of that sort.

  • Answer:

    Start by filling out as much of the FAFSA as she can - as early as she can. Apply for a PIN number, etc. 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) is the telephone number for questions. As soon as possible I would call with you and your sister present with a list of your questions. Your sister may have to have a PIN first (but I'd try anyway,) and they might not talk to you on her behalf. If you sister was in foster care or a ward of the court until age 18 then she can file as independent. Make an appointment a financial aid officer at the school and see what her options are. Because this young woman has been homeless and does not have available parents I would think her changes would be great to get a decent financial aid package. Also talk to the women's center and start scoping out scholarships and grants. Edit to add: FAFSA is the Free Appication for Federal Student Aid, but beyond federal help many/most scholarships and school financial aid departments require that it is filled out - it is also what many grants are based on...I used FAFSA as an independent without my parents information. Best of luck!

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A bit more information is needed. Where is mom and why did you lose contact with her. You said half sister.........who is the biological parent to both of you? It may be she can file for a professional judgment. It is best to make an appointment with a Financial Aid Officer at the school she is interested in. As far as you 'claiming' her, you should consult an accountant regarding the tax implications. Since she is 19, at the very least she'd have to be a full time student in order (and if it's legal) for you to claim her on taxes. Good Luck.

beut_els_guese

she's not a minor, so I think there has to be some way to not use her parent's financial information- especially if she hasn't lived with them this year. I know talking to someone from FAFSA probably hard, but I'd try that or talking to somone in the financial office where she wants to go to school.

csbiup

FAFSA may not be an option for your since it is for families and although you are a family, you do not have access to mother's or father's information. However, in your current situation you can qualify for much more then the FAFSA. Talk to financial aid and with an advisor to see what option works for you. Most universities also have a legal counseling office on campus, speak with them to see what options the government can help you with. Good luck!

dspawadjie

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