Am I a Dislocated Worker? - for FAFSA

Paying for College
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<p>^^^</p>

<p>I would think that you would want to know before the application process so that your child applies to the right schools. Finding out any unfavorable news after apps are in, or worse, after acceptance are given would be too late to adjust one’s strategy for school applications. </p>

<p>Keep in mind that most of the schools that give the BEST aid will look at your income/assets AND the income and assets of your ex-spouse…and then determine a “family contribution.” </p>

<p>Since it sounds like your ex has a very strong income and won’t be helping with college costs, then you probably need to avoid THOSE schools.</p>

<p>Remember that a number of schools that give the best aid use CSS Profile as well.</p>

<p>Generally schools that ONLY use FAFSA do NOT give great aid. Most will gap you.</p>

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<p>Thanks mom2collegekids! It is very challenging to develop a good list of schools to apply to when I really have no idea what - if any - support will be forthcoming. I’m fairly certain that he will not submit the Non-Custodial CSS when asked. I called a few Fin Aid offices and was told that there is a process/form to request waiver of the non-custodial form but waivers are usually only given to families where there has been no contact with the other parent. Not our situation.</p>

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<p>Your child does not have to actually eat the school lunch (this is the biggest hurdle and argument that I have trying to convince students to have their family fill out and submit the lunch form). </p>

<p>You have to apply for school lunch, turn in the form. When your school runs the meal code report, the report will be the documentation if your child receives free or reduced lunch. This is important, because free/reduced lunch is often the basis for receiving testing and application fee waivers.</p>

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<p>the information you received is correct because schools believe that parents are first in line when it comes to paying for their child’s education. Your ex’s unwillingness to pay, or the court orders that you have in place will not matter as FA will be determined based on ability to pay not willingness to pay.</p>

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<p>^^Not all colleges that utilize Profile require the non-custodial form. I’m sure if you search this forum someone has posted a list. College Board may also have a list. Waivers are not "easy’ to get and generally require that the student has had no-contact or support for a number of years from what I’ve read on these threads.</p>

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<p>I’m fairly certain that he will not submit the Non-Custodial CSS when asked. I called a few Fin Aid offices and was told that there is a process/form to request waiver of the non-custodial form but waivers are usually only given to families where there has been no contact with the other parent. Not our situation.</p>

<p>Very true. Otherwise all the NCPs would just not do the paperwork. </p>

<p>Keep in mind that such schools WILL NOT process ANY FA for your child if the NCP paperwork isn’t filled out. They won’t just process using your info. All you could get is federal aid, and it sounds like your income is above Pell amounts. </p>

<p>Yes, it’s true that some CSS schools do not require NCP info, but those often are the schools that will gap (dont’ meet need). </p>

<p>Adpetrin…If your ex won’t civilly communicate with you on the subject, then have your child speak to him. You may need to write down some specifics so that your child covers all bases…such as: how much will you contribute each year for college. Will you fill out the NCP forms for the various schools that want that. </p>

<p>If your ex is the type to make false promises to your child and not follow thru for all four years, then you have to protect your child and pursue a strategy that doesn’t require his help.</p>

<p>The LAST thing you need is for your Ex to pay for the first year or two, and then flake out. This often happens, especially if they start a new relationship. </p>

<p>Keep in mind that if your child starts attending a college that depends on the Ex’s money for affordability and then your child has to leave because your Ex stops paying, your child will NOT likely get good aid to another school as a transfer. The best pkgs are always given to incoming freshmen. Transfers often get little of no aid or merit (or not enough merit to make a serious dent in costs). </p>

<p>Be sure to have your child apply to at least 2-3 schools that will give large merit for test scores and GPA. Those schools can be the back-ups if your ex can’t be counted on to properly help for 4 full years. The beauty of those schools is that his income and your income won’t matter…the awards are based on stats.</p>

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<p>WOW. Thanks for the unvarnished truth! Your response is probably the best advice I’ve received on selecting colleges. Truly.
I think sadly, for my kids, we won’t be able to solidly rely on his financial support even though he’s able to help. Your advice about targeting schools where we will not depend on his support is spot on.
Unfortunately, most of the schools on his list are private colleges that require the Non-Custodial CSS. I will search for the thread you mentioned in hopes of finding viable alternatives.</p>

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<p>I think sadly, for my kids, we won’t be able to solidly rely on his financial support even though he’s able to help. Your advice about targeting schools where we will not depend on his support is spot on.
.</p>

<p>It can be heart-breaking for all kids with strong stats when parents can’t/won’t pay their “family contribution.” Some kids can feel like they’re being cheated or that their “hard work” has been a waste.</p>

<p>The truth is that many intact homes can’t/won’t pay their EFC’s either, so many kids (not just ones from divorced homes) face this issue every year. </p>

<p>*
Unfortunately, most of the schools on his list are private colleges that require the Non-Custodial CSS. I will search for the thread you mentioned in hopes of finding viable alternatives*</p>

<p>Sit down with your child and have a “heart to heart”. Explain that his aid will NOT get processed if his dad won’t fill out the paperwork. And, if dad flakes during a later year, he could end up with an unfinished degree.</p>

<p>I would have him apply to a few different types of schools…</p>

<p>1) schools that require NCP</p>

<p>2) schools that don’t require NCP, and aid amounts are unknown, but his stats are strong for the school…he might get a “preferential aid pkg.”</p>

<p>3) Schools that will give him ASSURED merit for his stats.</p>

<p>then in the spring, figure out which is the best way to go. If the ex does the paperwork and you are assured that he will pay all four years then you might feel confident to choose one of those schools. But, if deep down you know that you can’t count on him to cooperate all four years, then don’t choose one of those schools. </p>

<p>Frankly, when there’s been a divorce, I don’t think applying to schools that require NCP info are a good idea unless an ex is fully supportive of the whole process and will surely pay. There are a number of moms here on CC that have ex’s that will fill out the paperwork, but won’t pay, and the moms end up having to pay or borrow the entire “family share” . Since you earn a lot less, that’s not an option for you.</p>

<p>Keep in mind that if your ex remarries, his new wife’s income and assets will also get included in the NCP forms. That may cause other problems since she’d not likely want to contribute.</p>

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<p>You’re right - it is heartbreaking to see a child who’s worked very hard not get what he deserves. I appreciate your advice about speaking frankly about finances, but it’s very difficult to put him in the middle of a financial “discussion” that should be between rational adults. The college application process is stressful enough without throwing financial issues at him.
On the plus side, my son is a National Merit Semifinalist and Bama’s Honor program has been on his radar since last year.</p>

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<p>*You’re right - it is heartbreaking to see a child who’s worked very hard not get what he deserves. I appreciate your advice about speaking frankly about finances, but it’s very difficult to put him in the middle of a financial “discussion” that should be between rational adults. The college application process is stressful enough without throwing financial issues at him.</p>

<p>* </p>

<p>Well, this is college that we’re talking about, not paying for the home mortgage, etc. This is HIS expense, so he rightfully has a place at the table for discussion. As far as college is concerned, he now has an “adult interest” in the whole process from apps to money. :)</p>

<p>Feeling cheated will only make things worse, altho verbally acknowledging his hurt is certainly a good thing. Every year there are kids or parents who post with a similar sad song…unaffordable EFCs and/or NCPs who won’t cooperate. The result is the same…finding schools that will work.</p>

<p>Frankly, a student in his position (high stats with non-paying parent) is in a MUCH better situation than the student with just “good stats”. At least your son’s great stats can be rewarded with merit scholarships. :slight_smile: The other hard-working kids with lesser stats don’t have the big merit options…so a CC or local state school can be their only options. </p>

<p>It’s important for your son to realize that many, many, many kids “work hard” during high school (even a number of the B students or those with modest test scores). </p>

<p>Working hard in high school does not equate with “now parents must spend $100k-200k on my education”…even if the parents have the money. I know that kids often don’t understand that, but it is the parents’ money and they may have other important things that their money must be directed to…retirement, health issues, etc. </p>

<p>He’ll likely need some time to mentally adjust to a new strategy and the likelihood that pricey elites won’t work out, but luckily he’s learning this very early in the app process. Some kids get the “rug pulled out” in the spring! ugh!</p>

<p>Be prepared to hearing some “moaning and groaning,” and maybe even a bit of a tantrum (yes, HS kids can throw a tantrum when finding out that their dream schools aren’t affordable), but within a week or two things should calm down a bit. There actually is a bit of a “grieving process” that takes place when a person has to “let go” of plans.</p>

<p>*
On the plus side, my son is a National Merit Semifinalist and Bama’s Honor program has been on his radar since last year.*</p>

<p>Oh good…what’s his major? Has he toured? If not, let me know and I can direct you how to set up a personalized day according to his major.</p>

<p>Is he interested in the CBH or UFE program there?</p>

<p>Have you visited the Bama forum here on CC?</p>

<p>[University</a> of Alabama - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-alabama/]University”>University of Alabama - College Confidential Forums)</p>

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<p>More excellent advice. Re Bama - I’ve been reading a lot on CC and it’s very exciting. I love the enthusiasm. We attended a local reception last year and were very impressed with the president and parent-speaker. A lot of passion for Alabama was apparent. For such a large university, the feeling was very personal and caring. Pleasant surprise!
Thank you so much for your offer to help set up a tour. We haven’t planned a visit yet because of the distance - we’re from the northeast. Due to his school schedule and commitments, we’ll probably wait until after December.</p>

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<p>Do try to visit Bama…I think you’ll be very impressed by all the new facilities.</p>

<p>If you do visit, first set up the campus tour online…try for an early morning time! Don’t bother with the “info session”, you’ll get that info here pretty much on the Alabama forum on College Confidential which is VERY active.* Set up the campus tour as soon as you know when you’ll be coming…spots fill up quickly and they don’t “squeeze in” a few extra because space is limited on the included bus tour.</p>

<p>[University</a> of Alabama - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-alabama/]University”>University of Alabama - College Confidential Forums)</p>

<p>In the email include:</p>

<p>Student’s name and contact info</p>

<p>Date and time of the Campus tour that you’ve reserved.</p>

<p>GPA and test scores (include NMSF status)</p>

<p>Likely majors*</p>

<p>Career interests (including med, law, etc)</p>

<p>Anything particular that you want to see. *If you have an interest in seeing the new Science and Engineering Complex, let them know.</p>

<p>Honors Recruitment
Allison Verhine
Coordinator
269 Nott Hall
205-348-5534
<a href=“mailto:allison.verhine@ua.edu”>allison.verhine@ua.edu</a></p>

<p>Susan Alley
Assistant Coordinator
270 Nott Hall
205-348-5599
<a href=“mailto:susan.alley@ua.edu”>susan.alley@ua.edu</a></p>

<p>Allison and her assistant will arrange the rest of the day…meeting with faculty related to major, honors college faculty, touring honors dorms, etc.</p>

<p>Sometimes mail goes to their SPAM folders, so call them if you haven’t heard back within a few business days. These ladies do an excellent job and work very hard</p>

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<p>mom2collegekids - you’re very generous with your time and recommendations. Thank you!</p>