How do I get my NY aunt as my guardian for instate NY tuition? Can i just have her file me in her taxes?

Question

I am transferrring to NY. I have lived there for the past year renting a room with my aunt and thought i could be considered independent and a resident, but i found out that I can't be independent according to the law because im not 24 or an orphan so that means I would have to pay out of state fees for my whole college years! Do i actually have to get a court order for my aunt to say she supports me or can i just have her add me into her filed taxes for the upcoming semester? Please help because I am about to register for classes! Thank you!

Answer 1

You are fighting a loosing battle my friend.  Many have tried and all have failed.  Make sure you read and understand ALL the regulations regarding residency and financial aid before you try to get around them.  Getting around the system is pretty much impossible for anyone unmarried under the age of 24 because of the rules regarding dependency and fafsa.

A court order won't help you.  Neither would adding you to her taxes.  Like I said, everything and anything that could be tried to get out of paying out of state tuition has already been done before.  

Yes, you are going to have to pay out of state tuition.... for the entire duration of your college career in NY.  The bad news is, you won't likely qualify for in-state tuition in the state you left now either.

Answer 2

You would have to have lived there for a year before application.

Which does not sound like your case.

You can't get around that system...sorry.