<p>thanks to all for their replys. My research thus far seems to be misleading, some colleges indicating that if a student is accepted, they will find a way for that child to attend. This is a very ambiguous. Does this mean loans, grants, I’m sure a mix of both but with endowments down, I suspect it will mostly be loans. I have certainly discussed these issues with my daughters, but one still has her heart set on Boston University, which doesn’t look likely based on the sticker price.</p>
<p>Lyre, How did it finally work out for you and your daughter? Happily, I hope</p>
<p>Codesun, BU is pretty straightforward about the matrix it uses for merit/financial aid. See where your students are on it.</p>
<p>Also, just because a school is stingy with aid in general, does not mean that will hold for your particular case. If there is a good reason to apply to the school, do so but be aware that about the financial situation and have some good financial safeties that your girls have investigated thoroughly. The most time should be spent in researching and getting to know those safeties. It’s easy to cherry pick those name schools right off the top, and ignore the ones that are more hidden. Also schools that are not need blind in admissions often are very generous to those that they do accept. So the general rules are not always the ones that may apply specifically.</p>
<p>My friend really did not want her son applying to NYU as she well knew that they often gap and it really did not look like an affordable option for him. But he insisted and got in with a very generous merit/aid award. However, he also had some very strong safeties like a full ride to Pitt and an reasonably priced good state U, so he could reach for the skies in terms of wishes. BUt my friend was very clear about what was affordable and the likely outcome at those lottery tickets. She did not say, let’s see if you get in and we’ll figure it out somehow. It really is unfair to rais kids’ expectations that way, as the somehow can be unpalatable and foolish.</p>
<p>I especially like this site for help with making initial college lists as the financial aid breakdowns are so detailed (and exclude PLUS/private loans) and it’s easy to see if a college has a significant drop in aid after freshman year. Also, the freshman admissions section clearly states if a college is need blind or not.</p>
<p>[Student</a> Aid on the Web](<a href=“http://www.studentaid2.ed.gov/gotocollege/campustour/default.asp]Student”>http://www.studentaid2.ed.gov/gotocollege/campustour/default.asp)</p>
<p>codesun, unless I missed it, it doesn’t look like anybody mentioned the possiblity of waiving the non-custodial profile. It isn’t easy to do, and for good reason, but it is possible. It just takes a bunch of extra documentation.</p>
<p>If for any reason your children’s father has legally lost access to them or has not been in contact with your children in so many years, then there are grounds for reqeusting a waiver. Most schools request a letter from a third party, like a guidance counselor, therapist, children’s attorney, etc. to verify the loss of contact.</p>
<p>If the father is still a part of their lives, even if he is only willing to provide the information for financial aid but NOT the money for the kids’ college, then you are probably out of luck on the waiver.</p>
<p>And, yes, you’re right … the child support he paid this year will count towards your EFC, even though child support ends when the kids turn 18 or graduate high school – or whatever your arrangement is. It’s unfortunate. I guess they expect single parents to be saving the child support for college, which is very hard to do.</p>
<p>Thanks for the site,Sk8mom. Very informative.</p>
<p>
You can try asking the school for a special circumstance adjustment to reflect that the child support will cease. It is up to each school whether they allow this. My daughter had income that was stopping when she graduated HS (SS payments because her dad was receiving his SS pension). Her school did allow that, and some major medical expenses, as a special circumstances adjustment. It dropped her EFC by about $3000 that first year which not only gave her more Pell but made her eligible for an EFC based State grant. Some schools may not allow it but some may, it is worth asking.</p>
<p>codesun - Thanks for asking! 
Well, we are still in the process of sorting out where she will go and her options include a respected state school, two FAFSA only schools, and two schools that do use the CSS Profile and factored in her dad’s info. </p>
<p>With the two CSS Profile schools it’s amazing how different those two FA packages are. One offered her almost nothing and the other gave her a VERY large offer. The difference in the schools being their size and national prominence, I suppose. The smaller LAC is more eager to have her. My advice is really to seriously consider the smaller colleges that are FAFSA only. My oldest D went to Cornell College in Iowa, a small FAFSA only school, and now she is at an Ivy grad school. </p>
<p>It’s great that you are thinking about this early! Also, make sure you reduce your debt as much as possible before filling out the FAFSA, since it doesn’t look at debt, only assets and income.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, D#2 is in love with NYU, a FAFSA only school that seems to make little attempt to get close to the EFC. We’ll have to see what we can work out there … she is so eager to go that she wants to take out big loans and I am trying to talk her out of it. Wish me luck!</p>
<p>Ooo … just noticed you said your D wants Boston U … I have to tell you that was the big school that offered my D next to nothing … we are trying an appeal.</p>
<p>There are many private colleges that are FAFSA only and that give generous merit scholarships. Your kids will probably need a fabulous merit scholarship to make a private school affordable.
However, with finances being a factor - look to a state college or university. Most often, even after considering financial aid will be the most affordable.
There is nothing wrong with going to a state school. They do a fine job of educating kids.
Do your research, take them to visit and play them up. If they have to “settle” for a state school - do not spend one second feeling guilty.
Financial honesty is the best policy.</p>
<p>Sorry to jump in here, but maybe someone knows the answer to this question. My daughter, a sophomore, already knows it will be extremely difficult for her to apply to Profile schools, but there are a few she really likes. I understand the waiver of non-custodial info is hard to get. But, what I need to know is does it JUST depend on if the parent has had contact? In our case, we do get child support direct deposited, but her father has had no contact in quite a few years. I’d have to think about it, but I’d say at this point it’s probably seven years or so. There is really little chance of getting any financial info from him; she tried calling him to establish contact last summer and he actually swore at her and hung up the phone. Is there a possibility of getting a waiver in a case like this, or does the fact that he does pay child support (will end at age 18) preclude this?</p>
<p>ctinct, This answer is based on nothing but common sense and logic, which doesn’t always mean much. He obviously is not part of her life. The child support is mandated, either that or go to jail, It would seem that he is out of the picture when she turns 18, (depending on the state in which you live) I think you have an excellent possibility of getting a waiver. What reasonably prudent person could deny you a waiver? Good luck to you and your daughter</p>
<p>Can you talk with her principal or guidance counselor or someone who would be in a position to write a letter to the school on her behalf? I think I would give the explanation to that person myself, I’m sure it was upsetting to her to reach out and be rebuffed so cruelly by her own father. What goes around comes around…</p>
<p>ctinct - From what I have read, you should find a third party who could attest to the fact that your D has no relationship with her biological father. This could be a counselor, clergyperson, or social worker.</p>
<p>Why do people suggest that merit scholarships are the thing to look for at FAFSA-only schools? The point of FAFSA-only schools in this situation is that using only the mom’s income, they will have lots of need. So one thing to look for is FAFSA-only schools that offer generous need-based aid.</p>
<p>Merit scholarships are great too, at any kind of school. But with a reasonable EFC, maybe need-based aid would be enough.</p>
<p>Hi ctinct.
codesun, sk8rmom, and Lyre are correct. You have a very good case for the non-custodial waiver. The fact that you receive child support is not factored into the equation. Just report the child support on the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, and then get together the necessary paperwork to request the waiver of non-custodial data. Some schools have their own waiver request forms. Some schools will require a letter from a third party; some won’t. Good luck. I think it will all work out just fine!</p>
<p>Thanks codesun, sk8rmom, Lyre, Calreader, and SimpleLife- I feel much better. Getting people to attest to the lack of a relationship will be no problem. I have been reading the forums for a while (I’m kinda shy-don’t post much), and knew about that part. I just wasn’t sure how the child support played into it. I’m so happy and relieved to know that she may have the opportunity to apply to a few schools that we weren’t sure she’d be able to try for. She is an intelligent, caring, hard-working young lady, and I am truly blessed to be her mom.</p>
<p>ctinct, I will be in the same situation as you with regard to child support. Will be collecting and it will be reflected on financial aid application, but will stop before they start college! In all honesty, I’m tempted to tell him to keep it. I may be better off in the long run. Have to do a little more research. By the way, it sounds like your daughter is also blessed.</p>