<p>I am a single parent, divorced since my son was infant. Son had medical issues throughout childhood, doing well now, but many many surgeries over the years. Ex-husband would not sign divorce until I added that he would not ever pay for any medical bills (other than providing the required health insurance)and would not ever help with college. Son is a hs junior. I have no idea how I will pay for his college. Will FAFSA care that my ex refuses to contribute? I went back to school myself and now make a good salary, but am still covered up with past medical bills, many of which I've had to put on a credit card. Anyone have any advice or experience with a similar situation? Thank you!</p>
<p>The FAFSA requires info only from the custodial parent. It does not consider debt. FAFSA forecaster is here: [FAFSA4caster</a> - Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/F4CApp/index/index.jsf]FAFSA4caster”>http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/F4CApp/index/index.jsf)</p>
<p>However, there is is another form called the CSS Profile that about 300 schools require in addition to the FAFSA. It is not free to fill out, and does require info from the non custodial parent. CSS Profile schools are often more generous with financial aid. </p>
<p>Schools will often consider medical bills when awarding aid.</p>
<p>What are his stats?</p>
<p>Also, check out this thread <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html</a>.</p>
<p>Although you cannot list all those past medical expenses on the FAFSA, you do have a very good position for appeal to the schools. My recommendation is to file the FAFSA, wait for the awards from the colleges, then contact each of the colleges and explain your situation to them. You’ll likely be able to improve your son’s awards with at least some of the schools your son applied to.</p>
<p>… please tell me your son applied to multiple schools.</p>
<p>Since your son is only a junior, you have some time to strategize.</p>
<p>It will be best if he doesn’t apply to any schools that require CSS Profile NCP info.</p>
<p>For FAFSA only schools, they will only look at your income. </p>
<p>Your son should also consider some schools that will give strong merit aid.</p>
<p>So…a good strategy is needed. :)</p>
<p>What are his stats? Weighted GPA? SAT? ACT? (have him take BOTH!!)</p>
<p>What is your home state?</p>
<p>Are there any good schools in your area that he could commute to, if necessary?</p>
<p>Ex-husband would not sign divorce until I added that he would not ever pay for any medical bills (other than providing the required health insurance)and would not ever help with college.</p>
<p>I don’t mean to be ugly, but this guy is a major XXX hole. Sorry, but I can’t imagine any parent putting such a stipulation - especially the medical bills part!</p>
<p>Thank goodness your son has you, a very caring parent, as his mother! :)</p>
<p>Don’t freak out on college costs until April 1 of senior year. Work hard, now, to get the FAFSA filled out on time next year. Work hard to conquer what you can. You won’t know until April 1 of senior year what the package is for your student. The package will be a combination of loans, grants, scholarships – depending on your circumstances, his grades, his college, it may be a lot or not too horrible. </p>
<p>The sticker price is where you start. MAny students do not pay the full sticker price.</p>
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<p>No, but you can, and should, have a darn good idea way before then. This means identifying and applying to financial safeties, schools you know you can afford without any aid (and without dad) you are not guaranteed. Guaranteed aid would include and Federal and state grants he’s entitled too and automatic merit aid based on stats. You need one of these he really likes on the list or April can be pretty ugly.</p>
<p>This gets tough when the dad is around, has paid child support and just doesn’t want to contribute. Few schools that require a contribution from both parents will not expect a contribution from him. No parent is required to pay for college in the US, but many colleges feel both are responsible to regardless.</p>
<p>On one decent salary your state schools will probably be doable, especially if your son works hard summers and part-time during the school year.</p>
<p>Your biggest problem will be the 300 or so Profile schools, most of the top colleges, which will most often expect him to contribute. You can ask for professional judgement at any of these schools once he is admitted and show them your medical bills. That could help, but it still probably won’t disregard the expectation that he will contribute.</p>
<p>*No, but you can, and should, have a darn good idea way before then. **This means identifying and applying to financial safeties, schools you know you can afford without any aid (and without dad) you are not guaranteed. **</p>
<p>Guaranteed aid would include and Federal and state grants he’s entitled too and automatic merit aid based on stats. You need one of these he really likes on the list or April can be pretty ugly.
*</p>
<p>Good advice above. this is the time to run an EFC calculator and determine how much YOU can contribute to find out what you’re dealing with. Then develop a strategy. :)</p>
<p>**You say that you earn a good salary. Your child may not qualify for any free aid **then. That’s why it’s best to know now what your likely EFC will be. There’s no point in counting on a Pell Grant, only to find that your EFC is too high.</p>
<p>What are your son’s stats? Good stats can mean merit scholarships. What is your home state?</p>
<p>Over the next few months on this board, you will see a LOT of very upset parents and students who didn’t “do their homework,” and now can’t afford their schools. </p>
<p>Do your homework. :)</p>