Im a little confused on my financial aid am I independent or not? When I was 11 my mom passed away and my dad gave away all his rights. My aunt and uncle were made my guardians by the court until I was 18. So I'm guessing I'm an independent student because I am now 18 and my aunt and uncle aren't my guardians anymore. However my school was asking for ward of the court documentation and all I had was the court papers saying my aunt and uncle were given guardianship rights,is that enough?