Correct, you won’t be able to get any institutional aid from BU if both parts of the CSS profile aren’t completed. You can still try to get an NCP waiver, but the colleges are going to ask the same questions we are, so you and your parents do need to figure this out. Do you qualify for a Pell Grant…what is your FAFSA EFC?
Your dad isn’t required to file federal income taxes if he makes less than $12,200 (and is unmarried). Do you think this is the case? If so, he can complete a non-filer form, as @thumper1 said.
I am sorry you are in this position, and I’m sure it’s stressful. Tell your parents they have to do this if you want financial aid from the Profile schools.
I’m not sure if I qualify for a pell grant. My fasfa EFC is 0. My dad is in fact unmarried however I need to check on the income if it is under 12,000. How do I figure out his income if he doesn’t make tax returns though? Do I just ask him?
And thank you so much for your concern! Everyone’s advice has been so helpful and I’m trying my best. I’ve been telling my mom this whole time that if she doesn’t do what the CSS profile asks for I won’t get financial aid but she keeps insisting that I don’t need to. The only person at this point that can convince her is my aunt so I’ll reach out to her.
If your FAFSA EFC is $0, you will qualify for the full Pell Grant which is just over $6000 for the year. You would also be eligible for a $5500 Direct Loan and $3500 would be subsidized.
But the Pell and that loan will not cover your costs to attend Boston University.
Ok I’ll make sure to ask him for his income (my mom will). He is not self-employed. My uncle owns a nail business and my biological dad works for him. And yeah I know that the forms have been available for a long time now and I know I am late. I appreciate all the advice though. Thanks.
Thanks for the link! According to the pdf my case would be considered because my dad doesn’t pay child support. I think this is a reach but my dad used to abuse my mom. But providing all the legal documents as proof… yeah, my mom won’t agree to that. She doesn’t like going through all this hassle. I’m going to see whether I can do the CSS for my dad. If not ill try to convince her to do the waiver.
Your uncle should have been providing your dad with a W2 form for his work. That would have his income. It’s possible your uncle has these records from 2019 too.
How will you complete the Profile for your dad if you don’t have any records of his income and taxes paid from 2019? You will also need info about his assets as of the day you file (savings, checking, etc). If your dad owns a house, you will need info about that too.
As Thumper1 said, you will not be able to fill out the CSS Profile for you dad, unless he pays his back taxes (assuming he meets the threshold) and you have all his financial info.
If there is proof that your dad abused your mom, such as a court order, and/or a clergy leader/lawyer/counselor could attest to this, I would try the NCP waiver.
Again, tell your mom that to get financial aid from BU (and any of the other Profile schools on your list) that one of two things has to happen:
Dad squares up taxes (assuming he has to file) and completes his portion of the NCP waiver OR
You submit each school’s NCP waiver and they approve it
Please tell us that you have some affordable options on your application list. What state are you from? You don’t have to tell us, but do find out what your public universities have to offer…and if there is aid for low income students.
Your mom has to realize this “hassle” could be worth over $300K (Cost of attendance for four years) and the extra documentation will only have to be done once.