I’m a rising high school senior, and several of my top colleges require the CSS Profile from both custodial and noncustodial parents. I have begun looking into colleges that require only the FAFSA or do not require NCP info, but I also want to try to get a CSS NCP waiver… do you think I have a chance?
My family has a divorce decree for limited access. I can also obtain records/legal documentation from my guardian ad litem and court-ordered counselors. Additionally, I may be able to obtain a note from an independent counselor who deemed my family situation “abusive”.
On the form to request a NCP waiver, there was a field to write extra information for consideration. My NCP did not contribute financially to my older sister’s (rising college sophomore) college expenses. I have no reason he will contribute to mine, or to my little sister’s (rising high school junior) college costs. In addition, my little sister has hospital records that indicate his extensive harmfulness on her wellbeing, however, there was no physical or sexual abuse. This was acknowledged and influential in the limited access court order. I don’t know if this means much, but there is clear financial proof with my custodial parent that the divorce was not financially strategic.
Custodial parent makes < $45,000. This figure is somewhat variable, having dipped to below $13,000 one year. NCP makes ~$150,000. Neither I, nor my custodial parent, can obviously afford to pay what he supposedly can contribute…
I’m worried about the deal breaker: child support. NCP was unemployed for ~2 years, during which he paid little to no child support. After obtaining work, he continued to pay the child support amount from when he was unemployed. He now pays more child support, but I will turn 18 this fall.
Will colleges care about any of the extra information? I’m going to keep all options open regardless, but do you think it’s worthwhile to pursue a NCP waiver?