<p>Sasha, while you may be genuinely concerned, you have to take a step back out the situation. Live on a few more days and you will see that there are 3 sides to every story: yours, mine and the truth. And if you ever notice the one that is telling the tale of woe, may sometimes paint a picture using a limited frame of reference.</p>
<p>Because there is an court agreement the child probably could not get a non-custodial waiver because the father does financially support the child (where the waiver is basically for kids who recieve nothing financially or socially from the absentee parent. most of the time you must demonstrate that you or the child has had no contact). </p>
<p>Even with the agreement in place schools beleive that parents have a moral and social obligation and are first in line in funding their childrens education. when this is not done the parent is esentially saying that someone else's parents should pay for thier child's education (where do you thing the endowments come from-alumni some who are the parents of others). Need based financial aid is given according to what the school beleives a family can afford to pay, not what the court says a parent should pay and not what the parents want ot pay.</p>
<p>A lot of this is closing the barn door after the cow has left because what they could realistically pay as a family given the best and worse case scenarios should have been discussed (at least between D an mom because mom knew how much Dad had a legal obligation contribute) before the college process took place. </p>
<p>Dad has apparently decided to pay his legal obligation and nothing more(it may sound nice but he is within his right to do this). </p>
<p>I hate to sound cruel but if child wants a $40,000 sticker school and know that they have no money what is the plan. while the support order is also suppose to help maintain the cost of providing the child a home even when they are away at home, Daughter and mother should look at their finances. Since the finances are not mixed, Mother probably also has an EFC.</p>
<p>Dad- $10,000</p>
<p>Mom is also tasked to pay something based on her financial situation (if mom is not working she may have to get a job to help pay for this school)</p>
<p>What amount currently given as child support can be contributed to the cost of this bill </p>
<p>Student has an EFC (summer earnings)</p>
<p>Kid takes on an afterschool and summer job (in the words of Jamimom, works extra shifts saves everything)</p>
<p>They may have to take out loans (not a concept that I agree with)</p>
<p>other options;</p>
<p>Depending on the state, mom could go back to court, ask for an upward modification on support and ask for a review based on the college cost (the court still however won't make him ay the $40K as mom would still have to contribute)</p>
<p>Daughter may have to go where her money can take her</p>
<p>Daughter may have to take a GAP year and apply to schools that have merit to fill the gap using Dad's $10,000 as a jumping off point.</p>