Financial Aid Still Incomplete

Paying for College
1

<p>I trusted my parents to complete my financial aid forms but along with my acceptances to Wesleyan University (my first choice) and the Lehigh IBE Honors Program I got a list of missing items:</p>

<p>Noncustodial Parent's 2008 Tax Return
Student's 2008 Tax Return
Parent's 2008 Tax Return
Noncustodial Parent's 2007 Tax Return
Noncustodial Profile
Noncustodial Parent 2008 W2s</p>

<p>My attendance at either of these schools is 5000% dependent on financial aid and I am extremely disappointed to find that my parents seem to have made no effort to complete everything on time. Another thing... my parents don't think that they will be able to get everything done any time soon because they say it is too difficult and time consuming. Is it too late to get financial aid because I have missed the deadline? I tried calling the FinAid phone but the message says it will be down until Monday becuase of technical difficulties.</p>

<p>A further complication is that my parents were divorced in 2007 so their taxes are no longer the same. In addition, my parent's divorce settlement stipulates that my employed parent is to contribute $0 to my college attendance. If this is the case would it be sufficient to send in a copy of the portion of the settlement or does my noncustodial parent have to submit these documents?</p>

<p>I am extremely concerned because I can hardly believe that I got into my "dream school" but I need enough time to figure out whether I can go or not.</p>

<p>Is there any way for me to explain to these schools that I am paying for my own college and that my parents finances make no difference? Someone please answer my questions!</p>

2

<p>

No. Parents income and assets are taken into account for financial aid purposes, otherwise every parent could just say they are not going to pay. </p>

<p>

In general financial aid rules trump documents such as prenups and divorce papers. Those agreements are between your parents. The schools are still going to expect parents to contribute what they can according to their financial situation as your parents are the primary ones responsible for paying for your education. You can ask the school for a waiver of the non custodial parent requirement. I believe that when schools do grant a waiver it is usually when the non custodial has been completely out of the picture for a long time. But you can always ask.</p>

3

<p>Looks to me like you need to show these to your parents. Your tax return is YOUR responsibility. If these are not done they can affect your financial aid.</p>

4

<p>Alright thanks for the input.</p>