<p>The deadline for financial aid was Feb 1st. I submitted FAFSA and my portion of the CSS profile; however, I did not submit the non-custodial portion. I never have had a father in my life because he left sometime around when I was born. So there has never been any child support or any contact with him. </p>
<p>I think I screwed up in this financial aid process because I didn't fax supporting documents from my guidance counselor verifying my situation. I am faxing them tomorrow, but I am disheartened by the fact that I missed such an important thing... I feel so stupid. I've been doing all this financial aid stuff - everything college related all on my own - because my mother can't understand this process too well, being from another country. It's just sometimes overwhelming, especially all this college stuff added to being in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, being from a single parent home, and others (sorry, I feel like I'm complaining a lot). But a bunch of IB stuff was due these past weeks, so it feels like I'm tugging and pulling between a bunch of very important priorities at the moment...and I missed just the non-custodial portion for Harvard.</p>
<p>So I'm wondering if this slight delay will have any effect on my financial aid? Thank you...</p>
<p>It’s completely fine. The main worry you should have right now is getting into Harvard (not that worrying would help).</p>
<p>I’m also filling all the financial documents myself (similar situation you’re in), so I understand how frustrating it is.
Submit your CSS and FAFSA as soon as possible. If you get in, you’ll get your share of financial aid even if you turn your financial stuff in late because Harvard has such a large and generous finaid program.</p>
<p>Most likely, turning your financial stuff in late has very little problem</p>
<p>I talked to someone in finaid and they said that if you got the finaid forms in by the deadline, you would definitely get an aid calculation with your (acceptance). If it was late, then you may not get it ON the first.</p>
<p>If you get in, you will def. get the aid you deserve, regardless of when you sent the forms.</p>
<p>I faxed over all the divorce papers, restraining order, guidance counselor letter, etc. It just feels really hard to get my financial aid together without a non-custodial parent. It almost seems that colleges think I’m lying that I really don’t know where my father is. I’ve seen and heard over and over that the non-custodial parent MUST fill his profile and it seems that not knowing absolutely anything about the whereabouts of my father is a rare occurrence - in terms of applying to top, top schools, where at least in the past, poor, single-parent people like me would have never even thought about applying.
My guidance counselor, despite working for a long time, has never had to dealt with a situation like mine where the father literally wiped himself off the face of the earth to not pay child support. I’m not saying its never happened before but I wish collegeboard would explain the process more in depth if I can’t fill the non-custodial portion…literally the most stressful time of my life for just a chance of ~6% of being accepted. But it is worth it (literally going to have a heart attack if I get in).</p>
<p>And again, thank you for assuring everything should work out. I’m glad that they will still accept my papers. I like Harvard. It seems very lenient and very understanding. Idiosyncra3y, when you said you “talked to someone in financial aid”, it seems you went out of your way to find information for me. I really appreciate that. :D</p>
<p>When my daughter applied, she did not apply for financial aid since we would not qualify. After she was accepted Harvard contacted us suggesting that we apply for aid. No, we did not qualify, but I was amazed that they would reach out to an accepted student for an additional opportunity to request assistance.</p>
<p>You must be my life twin (except for that IB stuff). I was planning on just sending a letter detailing my situation (my guidance counselor has round 400 kids / 100 seniors so she has no idea, there was never a restraining order, my mother won’t help), and I’m really scared that they’ll just think I’m making it all up or something…</p>
<p>I applyed for harvards summer school program as a high schooler and was accepted. I don’t know what to expect and I’m nervous. What two classes would you recommend for me to take that will give me a taste of what harvard is like? Also, can you explain to me in detail what to expect in harvard classes and how to be successful (B, B+, A) in them? </p>
<p>^ uhhh ? Sorry, can’t help you I’m not a Harvard student. Try making a new thread where other more qualified people can help :)</p>
<p>(This dude posted the same thing in 8 other places)…? </p>
<p>^^ lol, a twin!! I’ve actually never met a person who is in a similar situation, especially another Asian and pretty smart =) But if your guidance counselor can’t offer some good verification, is there another person you know professionally that can back you up? </p>
<p>From Cornell’s “2001-2012 Request to Waive Noncustodial Parent’s Information” it says:
</p>
<p>So most colleges might think along the same lines as Cornell.</p>
</p>
I’m not a Harvard student. Try making a new thread where other more qualified people can help :)</p>
I’ve actually never met a person who is in a similar situation, especially another Asian and pretty smart =) But if your guidance counselor can’t offer some good verification, is there another person you know professionally that can back you up? </p>