The definition of legal guardianship does not include your parents, even if they were appointed by a court to be your guardians. You are also not considered a legal guardian of yourself.

Answer Yes if you can provide a copy of a court's decision that as of today you are in legal guardianship. Also answer Yes if you can provide a copy of a court's decision that you were in legal guardianship immediately before you reached the age of being an adult in your state. The court must be located in your state of legal residence at the time the court's decision was issued.

Answer No if you are still a minor and the court decision is no longer in effect or the court decision was not in effect at the time you became an adult.

Please note, there are guardianship statuses that are not valid for the purposes of State student financial aid and the student will be required to provide parental information. For example, if the parent retained legal parental rights or was obligated to pay child support while the student was a minor, the student will be required to provide parental information. If a student is unable to provide acceptable guardianship documentation or parental information, he or she should consult with their financial aid administrator at their college. Please note that “legal custody” and “legal guardianship” are not the same designation for either Federal or State aid.

The financial aid administrator at your college may require you to provide proof that you were in legal guardianship.