Hello everyone,
I’ve heard that both biological parents need to fill out the CSS Profile for college aid. However, my parents are divorced, and I have resided with my father in the United States since 2010. My biological mother is still in the United Kingdom, and I have only visited her in person once since the move (though we still talk on the phone biweekly) and she has not had to pay anything for me (child support, etc.). I know there is a waiver request for the Noncustodial Parent, but I was unsure whether this would be a case for exemption (as she also doesn’t know anything about how US Colleges/Universities work), and, if so, how do I submit the waiver request with the paperwork (mail directly to college, etc.).
Thanks!
It does not sound like you will qualify for a NCP waiver…generally, it doesn’t matter that your NCP parent lives overseas, doesn’t provide child support, or doesn’t know anything about US university admissions process.
Each school will have their own requirements and process, so you will need to check each website of the schools on your list. As an example, here is Yale’s page re: seeking NCP waiver. https://finaid.yale.edu/forms/noncustodial-parent-waiver-petition
You can ask for a waiver, but you are not estranged from your mother at all. You talk to her every other week, and you know how to reach her. That you haven’t lived with her really isn’t the acid test to get the non-custodial parent waiver.
Does your mom (and a spouse, if she has remarried) have substantial income and assets? If not, this might not affect your need based aid at all.
Also, are you applying to colleges that guarantee to meet full need for all accepted students? If not, your parent income might not matter that much in terms of need based aid.
There are colleges that require the Profile, but not the non-custodial parent form. Perhaps seek those out.
Or apply to colleges where you will get guaranteed merit aid…because that doesn’t consider parent income at. All.
Is she not willing to fill out the NCP form? Sounds like you have a good relationship so not clear if she is saying no or you are not wanting to ask her or…?
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/2083835-faq-divorced-parents-financial-aid-and-net-price-calculators.html may be of general help on the topic.
If you need a non-custodial parent waiver to make the college affordable, treat the college as a reach.
based on what you wrote, you are not eligible for a non custodial waiver. This means if your mom does not fill out the CSS Non-custodial profile, your financial aid application will be incomplete and you will not receive any need based aid.