feeling guilty about pushing our state flagship school

Parent Cafe
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<p>“Do you know what your EFC might be? Do you know if her non-custodial parents’ income will raise family contribution at those schools? Will her NCP contribute? If not, then those schools may be “off the table” anyway.”</p>

<p>I am assuming I can’t fill out the financial aid info until after I file my taxes for 2011 in January of next year? Therefore, I don’t know what my EFC might be. Is there any way to estimate this? Her NCP will not contribute a dime unless legally made to do so. I guess I will find out from an attorney this year if our child support agreement can be modified to include support while in college. Not really sure what usually happens with this.</p>

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<p>The only stat I remember was she had a 1410 on the SAT (before the writing was added to the test). This was 2003/04.</p>

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<p>^^^</p>

<p>That is equivalent to an ACT 32…a very good score! It’s the kind of score that can more likely get you accepted to those schools that give great aid. :)</p>

<p>*I am assuming I can’t fill out the financial aid info until after I file my taxes for 2011 in January of next year? Therefore, I don’t know what my EFC might be. Is there any way to estimate this? *</p>

<p>Yes, you can use an EFC calculator to determine FAFSA EFC. <a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid;

<p>However, for top schools that will demand that the NCP provide income info and expect a contribution based on his income/assets (including his new spouse if he has one), you won’t be able to accurately predict “family contribution” for those schools.</p>

<p>*Her NCP will not contribute a dime unless legally made to do so. I guess I will find out from an attorney this year if our child support agreement can be modified to include support while in college. Not really sure what usually happens with this. *</p>

<p>You can try, but if it wasn’t included in the initial divorce negotiations, it’s very unlikely you can get a change because usually that demand means giving something else up. But, you can try. </p>

<p>It sounds like your ex is paying child support now, but it will end when she leaves high school or turns 18.</p>

<p>However, if you can’t get a modification AND you aren’t able to GUARANTEE that he will even fill out the NCP paperwork EVERY year, then those schools will not likely be affordable because they won’t process the FA paperwork without his info…and his info may cause “family contribution” to be too high for you to afford. </p>

<p>It’s best to know these possible limitations right now, so that your D can be aware of them. Many kids find out too late. </p>

<p>Do you have any other children?</p>

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<p>No, I do not have any other children. NCP would never be willing to fill out any paperwork about his income to aid our D with college financial aid applications. I do get child support now which I use to pay our D’s private high school tuition and health insurance. I don’t really know what to expect with the financial aid process. I make about $55,000 yearly gross income and not sure if this will be too much to disqualify my D from any need based scholarships. I tried to fill out as much of the FAFSA info that I could, but couldn’t get far enough without having to wait until I file my 1040 for this year (2011) to be able to estimate what it will determine.</p>

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<p>NCP would never be willing to fill out any paperwork about his income to aid our D with college financial aid applications.</p>

<p>Then, that will eliminate all schools that require NCP info. You won’t be able to get an NCP waiver, because he has been paying child support. NCP waivers are for situations such as when the dad abandoned the family years ago and hasn’t been heard from since or never paid child support. Waivers aren’t given just because a NCP doesn’t want to fill out the paperwork or pay.</p>

<p>Well, you need a strategy and some of it will largely depend on what your D’s ultimate scores are. If she scores in the ACT 28 range, then her chances for the top schools that give great aid, is less likely…but not completely impossible. And, there aren’t many top schools that “meet need” that don’t require NCP info.</p>

<p>however, there may be some lower-ranked privates (that don’t require NCP info) that might give great aid. Mt Holyoke might (don’t know if it requires NCP info). Others might be able to recommend some schools that give great aid and will likely accept a student with an ACT 28. </p>

<p>With an income of $55k and one child (2 person family), your FAFSA EFC will likely be about…$8-9,000…which is too high for federal grants. </p>

<p>Until your D has her best scores, it’s hard to say what her strategy needs to be. Right now, just have her practice and retest (and take the SAT). Warn her that schools that require NCP info won’t work (she can apply to one or two if she insists…but it will likely be a waste of effort.)</p>