$$ from Absentee Parent Toward Tuition-- does this affect Fin Aid?

Paying for College
1

<p>The details:</p>

<p>My ex hasn't paid child support in a decade-- therefore FAFSA Child Support Income = 0.</p>

<p>My salary was cut at the beginning of the year.</p>

<p>I appealed my son's financial aid offer based upon this change in circumstances and received a small increase from both colleges that he's considering.</p>

<p>The colleges both offer payment plans for the balance-- however the balances greatly exceed my income and it's not likely that I'll be able to qualify for a loan.</p>

<p>We reside in a state which allows support until age 21, longer under certain circumstances. It'll be relatively simple to re-instate support through the courts-- NOT so simple to verify the income of an ex who is self-employed and NOT so simple to enforce the support order.</p>

<p>I spoke w/ my ex to see if he might be able to help, not thru child support, rather by making payments directly to the college. This might actually be something he's willing to do.</p>

<p>Will his $$ contributions toward tuition affect our financial aid?</p>

<p>Any other ideas besides sending $$ directly toward the college?</p>

2

<p>For FAFSA schools, only the custodial parent’s income counts so it should not affect FA for this year.</p>

3

<p>Both schools are FAFSA only and not CSS.</p>

<p>What about future years?</p>

<p>Is it preferable to have my ex pay any $$ he’s willing to contribute directly to the college?</p>

4

<p>It doesn’t really matter for FAFSA where your ex pays his contribution, as long as he pays it after you file FAFSA so you’re not counting his $$s as your own asset. He could pay you, your son, or the college directly.</p>

<p>I’m just wondering how reliable a source of income your ex might be. Do you want to risk your child’s ability to attend college on whether or not the ex decides to contribute every year? Only you can answer this question. But if the ex is reliable, then this is a reasonable way to pay college.</p>