It recently came to my attention that the CSS profile exists, and I need both biological parents too fill it out. I also found out that theirs a waiver for a NCP; however, it is a gamble. I need help deciding if I should go for it or suck it up and try to contact my biological father and pray.
So I have not seen him physically in at least seven years (and that was for like four hours). I have probably had four calls with him in that time period. He and my mom were never married. He did not know he was my dad until I was three and neither did my mom or I. He does not pay child support. He has listed my age and birthday wrong on official documents. He technically disowned me in a text but I deleted it so no proof. He re-married and had four kids. We live on different sides of the country and I’m pretty sure he hates my mom. I have zero clue if that is enough and I just really,really do not want him to mess up my chances of going to the colleges that require the CSS profile.
The last contact I had with him was maybe a year and a half ago through said text messages if that helps.
It is not a matter of messing up your aid as much as it is a matter of your parents are the first in line to pay for your education. Based on what you wrote, you know where your father is therefore, you must make every effort reach out to him and get his information.
Even if he is unlikely to help pay at all? He hasnt payed child support in years. I doubt he’ll pay towads my college fund. I guess I do know what you mean though (about me knowing where he is) , it just sucks. What if I cant get his information because he just refuses to talk to me?
Thank you!!! Answered my questions!!!
There are a lot of things that limit where kids can go to college, and having parents unwilling to pay is high on the list. If you are a top student with top scores and gpa and may be admitted to a school that would meet your financial needs (Amherst, Ivy, Rice, some of the LACs) then you should figure out what would be needed to either get your father’s information or file for a waiver. If you aren’t looking at CSS schools, or there are some CSS schools you would apply to but there are just as many FAFSA only schools on your list, then it might be a lot of hassle for not a lot of gain.
Many students go to FAFSA only school. Some of these students have non-cooperating NCP. You have to play the cards you were dealt.