Divorced parent won't help with $

[supersaian]

<p>Hey, so I've only just been looking into financial aid- I don't really know much about it yet. My situation is this: I'm a high school junior living with my mom. She has an income of maybe ~20k per year. This would seem great for financial aid, but my father makes ~120k annually. This is an issue because he is refusing to pay one cent for college, so I will (assumedly) not receive any financial aid for college, and the only parent that would help me would have to use up her life savings to do so.</p>

<p>I'm looking into a lot of schools, but many of the ones that attract me, like Princeton, don't offer any merit scholarships. So, that would mean that I both would not get any money for living with a low income parent, and would not get any money for scholastic achievements. Would I have any chance of going to something like Princeton without accumulating tons of debt?</p>

[NJSue]

<p>Princeton, along with some other very competitive wealthy privates, has very generous financial aid, but they will consider both your parents’ income in their formula. If your combined parents’ income is $140K per year, you may even get some aid at a place like Princeton, but they will expect both parents to contribute. </p>

<p>If your father really won’t pay anything for college, you should look at FAFSA-only schools (i.e. schools that don’t use the CSS/Profile to determine estimated family contribution). FAFSA-only schools tend to be state schools. Or, you can look at privates that offer generous merit aid to students with your stats. These schools will not be as selective or prestigious as Princeton but they will not burden you with debt that will weigh on you heavily after graduation. Not even Princeton is worth ginormous debt.</p>

<p>There is no harm in dreaming big, but be sure to identify a financial safety that you would be willing to attend.</p>

[wmurphy126]

<p>NJSue kind of got it right…</p>

<p>You have TWO options for types of colleges, not just one!</p>

<p>Types:</p>

<p>1) FAFSA-only schools (like NJSue, most state schools dont need CSS but also Princeton DOES NOT need the CSS profile either! You’re in luck! Princeton will only consider your moms $20k</p>

<p>2) CSS schools that DO NOT have a Non-custodial form</p>

<p>the schools you want to avoid are CSS schools that do have the custodial form which is sadly schools like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Georgetown, MIT</p>

<p>but dont let that get your hopes down because there are tons of other schools like Princeton, Vanderbilt, UVA, UNC, Northwestern, George Washington University (slightly biased <3), William and Mary and a lot more that have css but don’t include your fathers! I’m in a very similar situation to you (with mom who doesnt have a lot, dad not paying) and GWU provided the best package than any other school!</p>

[WayOutWestMom]

<p>

FAFSA-only schools (like NJSue, most state schools dont need CSS but also Princeton DOES NOT need the CSS profile either! You’re in luck! Princeton will only consider your moms $20k

</p>

<p>That’s not true. While Princeton doesn’t use the CSS Profile, it does require both custodial and non-custodial parent information for its own financial aid forms-- the PFAA.</p>

[NewEnglandMother]

<p>Be careful and read each colleges website carefully. Although Princeton does not use the CSS Profile they do use their own institutional form that acts in the same manner - it is called the PFAA (Princeton Financial Aid Application) in addition they require a Non-custodial parent form:
<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/pr/aid/pdf/1213/PU-non-custodial-parent-form.pdf[/url]”>http://www.princeton.edu/pr/aid/pdf/1213/PU-non-custodial-parent-form.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Some schools that require the CSS Profile (but not the noncustodial profile) may still require noncustodial information on their own forms (Bucknell, Oberlin)</p>

<p>Then there are the schools that “sometimes” require Noncustodial info (William & Mary) and “might” ( Vanderbilt) require noncustodial info. These schools do not collect noncustodial info as a matter of course but might request it later which could catch you off guard late in the process.
As you can guess I am a single/divorced custodial parent! On my second time through this process.</p>

[sk8rmom]

<p>

So, that would mean that I both would not get any money for living with a low income parent, and would not get any money for scholastic achievements.

</p>

<p>At every school that participates in federal aid, you WILL get Pell, and probably FSEOG, work-study, Perkins, Stafford sub loans based on your custodial parent info. FAFSA never considers NCP’s and schools are required to use the FAFSA EFC in distributing federal aid. If you go to an instate school, your state aid will be determined in the same way.</p>

[mom2collegekids]

<p>As unfortunate as this may seem right now, be thankful that you’re finding this out now…many kids don’t find out until spring of senior year that their NCPs won’t pay.</p>

<p>And…thankfully, if you have the stats to be competitive for Princeton, then you have the stats for large merit scholarships from the schools that give them.</p>

<p>Nearly ALL of the elite schools looks at both parents’ incomes. There are a few exceptions…I think Vanderbilt and USC are the only ones that don’t…but maybe there are a couple more. </p>

<p>Princeton DOES consider all parents’ incomes.</p>

<p>A schools that requires NCP info will NOT process the FA application without that info. And, even if your dad agrees to fill out the forms, it won’t do you any good since he has a high income and won’t pay. If he earned little, then it wouldn’t matter if he refused to pay…but since he has a high income, it will (and if he’s remarried, his new wife’s income will count, too).</p>

<p>Anyway…since most schools that don’t require NCP info do NOT give much aid and won’t meet need, you need to protect yourself and include a few schools that will either give you HUGE merit scholarships (and I mean HUGE!!!) or an instate public (if your state gives good aid based only on custodial parent’s income).</p>

<p>You mention something about your mom’s “life savings”…that sounds like she has a chunk of money saved (maybe proceeds from the divorce). If so, that may affect your FAFSA EFC if assets are not excluded .</p>

<p>What are your stats? (GPA and test scores)?</p>

<p>What is your likely major?</p>

<p>Again, I know that this is very upsetting and frustrating, but understand that many “married parents” also won’t pay for an elite school either.</p>

<p>Quote:
So, that would mean that I both would not get any money for living with a low income parent, and would not get any money for scholastic achievements.</p>

<p>No…you can get large merit scholarships for your achievements.</p>

<p>you have to realize that these pricey schools that meet need believe that both parents should pay for college. They aren’t going to give aid just because one affluent parent refuses to pay. If that were the case, ALL parents would refuse to pay.</p>

[mom2collegekids]

<p>So I have a 4.0 gpa, and about 2210 SATs (221 on PSAT). I</p>

<hr>

<p>What state are you in?</p>

<p>Are you projecting your SAT based on your PSAT? When will you be taking the SAT?</p>

[thumper1]

<p>

You’re in luck! Princeton will only consider your moms $20k

</p>

<p>Actually this is not accurate. Princeton has its OWN financial aid form, and my understanding is they DO ask for the financial information from he non-custodial parent. Princeton does NOT use the Profile…they use their own form in and addition to the FAFSA.</p>

<p>

Noncustodial Parent’s Form</p>

<p>This form should be completed by the non-custodial parent of the student listed below as part of the Princeton financial aid application. It is Princeton’s policy to require both parents to contribute to college costs to the extent they are able. Determination of need for financial aid will be based on an evaluation of information from both parents.
A signed copy of the non-custodial parent’s 2011 federal income tax return, along with W-2 statements, is also required. It may accompany this form or be submitted separately as soon as it is available.
Please contact us if problems providing this information are anticipated.

</p>

<p>The above is from the Princeton University website…in their financial aid section. They require information from BOTH parents.</p>

[alwaysleah]

<p>I am in a similar situation, except it is my stepdad who makes me largely ineligible for financial aid. I have come to realize that it is not the end of the world, and there are many great schools where I can receive merit aid. I am planning to apply to a lot of financial safeties and just a few Ivy’s/top tiers. I dont really expect to go to an ivy, even if I get in, due to cost. </p>

<p>Here is the thread I started: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1192312-i-am-so-frustrated-i-dont-know-what-do.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1192312-i-am-so-frustrated-i-dont-know-what-do.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I was a little melodramatic at the time ahaha. I felt like my college dreams/everything I had ever worked for was ruined. But I’m over it now. The reality is that if you’re a smart kid you will do well no matter what school you go to. I am hoping that an appeal to the financial aid office at top schools may help my situation, but in reality it probably won’t. You should also try to appeal if you do get into an Ivy, but for now your main goal should be to fall in love with schools that you will be able to afford. No college is worth 100k in debt. Check out the thread I linked. There were lots of helpful parents with great suggestions that are now near the top of my college list.</p>