Are non-custodial parent incomes "weighted"?

Paying for College
1

<p>I'm not sure that makes sense, so my real-life example: my custodial parent (mom) will be making ~30k a year after the child support runs out, and my NCP -- now re-married and paying for a new house of his own -- makes around 120k. Will I get the same financial package as someone whose married parents make 150k or will they expect a little bit less from my dad? I'm expecting the former since I've heard in calculating EFC they assume your parents are willing to sell everything they own and that your NCP is more devoted to you than their new life, but I want to hear from some people who have real knowledge.</p>

<p>I know it's probably really complicated and I've not given many details, but I would appreciate if you would tell me what you know about this. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Your non custodial parent's income (and their spouse's income if remarried) will only matter if your school requires the CSS profile or has their own form that asks for it.</p>

<p>the Fafsa only asks for info from the custodial parent</p>

3

<p>If I were you, I would avoid falling in love with a school that uses the non-custodial parent forms... nothing good can come from it , unless your father lives in a cardboard box.
It has proven to be a very painful lesson for our family, at least with older daughter.</p>

4

<p>^Umm..... too late. :-/</p>

<p>But can anyone answer my question specifically?</p>

5

<p>no, it's not weighted by any rule. But it's up to EACH school to use the information on the Profile any way they want to. there is no one rule that they ALL follow. </p>

<p>You will need your Dad's info and his new wife's info for the profile</p>

<p>By info, I mean their income, assets and home equity (if any) from BOTH parents (and any spouses if remarried)</p>

6

<p>Phooey. Are there actually schools that expect the new wife to contribute? I mean, it's pretty absurd to think someone I've never met would want to give up her earnings for me...</p>

7

<p>Every school will/may use that data differently.</p>

<p>It's not so much that they expect the new wife to contribute. They figure that if the new wife is working that frees up more of that pesky non custodial parent's income to pay for college.</p>

<p>Don't worry, it only gets weirder from there!</p>

8

<p>based on your other posts, I think you applied to MIT. the good news is that they will meet your full need, as THEY define it.</p>

<p>MIT</a> - Student Financial Services</p>

<p>the very bottom says you can send them extenuating circumstances. Saying your dad got remarried and doesn't want to pay for your college may not be what they mean by extenuating.</p>