How to Answer FAFSA Question #18-20: Legal Residence
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18. What is your state of legal residence?
  • State ______

19. Did you become a legal resident of this state before January 1, 2011?
  • Yes
  • No

20. If the answer to question 19 is "No," give month and year you became a legal resident of that state.
  • Month ______
  • Year _______

Why are they asking this information?

The questions in this section ask about what/where you consider to be your permanent home/mailing address. This question appears on the FAFSA form so that the Department of Education has a residence on file for you for all relevant correspondence while you are in school and for State agencies to determine your potential eligibility for a State grant, if applicable.

How to answer this question / fill out this section

Even if you reside on campus during the time you are enrolled, you will still need to list your permanent, legal address. This could be your parent or guardian’s home, or a permanent residence where you typically receive your mail. 

John Haggerty lives in Philadelphia and is currently employed at Swarthmore College, located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and comes in ranked #4 in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges in National Liberal Arts Colleges. He has 8 years experience in financial aid. John loves working in higher education knowing that he might play a small part in helping students along their path through college and into the world.
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