Financial aid forcollege. File as an Independent?

Question

I was a ward of the court until my grandparents adopted me when I was 13. Now I am 19 and have been independent for over a year. I have NO contact with my grandparents. They agreed to keep me until I was a legal adult. No connection after that. Now I cannot get the financial aid b/c I was not a ward of the court until 18, Im not over 24 either. What do I do now? I cannot afford college AND living expenses.

Also I'm having trouble with scholarships because I sucked in High School. That's why I'm doing community college to redeem myself.

Answer 1

This happened to me during my first 2 years of college. Basically, I filed some document with the financial aid office to get my dependent status overturned. I think it just worked for me because I was almost 24.

Are you living on your own? If you can prove that you are living on your own and have evidence of your living expenses and the fact that you are working, you might be able to be declared an independent student.

Answer 2

Since your grandparents legally adopted you you must report grandparents income.  Simply call them and explain the situation.  Every college student under 24 that is not married your situation has to report parents or their adoptive parents information.  

Good luck.