<p>I have a unique situation. I applied to Cornell, Dartmouth, and Yale and I'm feeling good about my chances to get in (1st in class of 310, lots of activities, decent ACT score, etc). I have not yet applied for FAFSA but I'm wondering what it would cost me to attend one of these schools and if it is even feasible. My parents are divorced and my mom is my custodial parent. However, she has a drug problem and I live with my Dad (although he still pays her child support). So when filling out FAFSA do I use my mom's numbers or my dads? I have heard that if your family makes less than $60,000/year and you are accepted to an Ivy league school, you will not pay a dime. My mom's income is $20,000/year. Is it therefore true that I would go to school for free if I am accepted to one of these schools? Thanks!</p>
<p>First of all, you need to look at the financial aid web sites for all these schools. They have very clear statements about their policies, regarding what you need to file, what the parameters of financial awards are, etc. </p>
<p>Second of all, you don't apply for FAFSA, you fill out the FAFSA. It is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It results in a report about your financial need that goes to the schools you apply to. The schools decide, based on the FAFSA about your awards. </p>
<p>Third, for these schools you will also need to fill out the CSS Profile financial aid form which is found on the collegeboard.com web site. All of these are private schools which require you to fill out both forms to be eligible for financial aid. </p>
<p>But really, you need to start with the FA parts of the web sites.</p>
<p>Above post says most of it. For Cornell, Yale and Dartmouth you will have to provide the income and assets of BOTH of your parents on the PROFILE. </p>
<p>Re: which parent is your parent on the FAFSA...usually it is the parent with whom you reside...in your case it would be your dad.</p>
<p>For the Ivies, your family income will be based on BOTH parents' incomes...not just one parent. These schools require the Profile which will require info from your custodial parent and a non-custodial parent form with that parent's info as well. These schools are giving out institutional money and base those awards on the info contained in the Profile. FAFSA only gives info for federal dollars...which for the Ivies is a drop in the bucket.</p>
<p>Most of these generous schools require a student contribution. SO even IF you were to get significant financial aid, you, as the student, might be expected to contribute up to several thousand dollars a year.</p>
<p>And it's both parent's income and assets, and if either has remarried, they will look at the spouse's numbers too.</p>
<p>Your schools are some of the most generous with aid though.</p>