Hey everyone,
The situation is kinda complicated so here it goes.
My parents are separated and my dad is my custodial parent. His income would make me considered low-income (<35k for a household of 3) but my mom’s income wouldn’t (around 130k). My parents separated in 2010 and I lived with my mom until 2016 when I moved in with my dad due to family issues. Until then I was listed as her dependant but from 2016-present I’m my dad’s dependant. She recently got a mortgage for a house in New Jersey and is living over there away from my dad and I. Before that she lived in Brooklyn just like us but at a different address. My dad is the only one financially supporting me and she doesn’t want to pay for my college. She doesn’t pay child support but I am under her insurance. I don’t see her that much, only a few times a year for big occasions like my birthday or major holidays.
Would I be able to apply for a non-custodial parent waiver for the CSS and how likely will it be accepted given the situation mentioned above. Also, if I were to include her information on the CSS profile how much will it affect the aid I receive from the schools that accept me. If anyone can help please do so.
Thanks.
Based on what you wrote, you will not be eligible for a non-custodial waiver. For schools that ask for information from your non-custodial parent, you will have to include your mom’s financial information.
Since you already know that she is not willing to pay for college, they you need to apply for FAFSA only schools, schools where you can get merit or schools like Vanderbilt or UChicago, which only ask for custodial parent info.
I agree with @sybbie719
Non-custodial parent waivers are not granted just because a non-custodial parent lives elsewhere, and doesn’t want to pay. They are granted because there is a significant situation that makes getting non-custodial info impossible. Things like…parent being in jail, parent moving out of the country and no one knows where they are or how to contact them, things like that.
You know where your mom is. You know her income. You are able to contact her. That she won’t help is not grounds for a non-custodial parent waiver.
You have a couple of options…
- Do as @sybbie719 suggested and look for schools that do not require the non-custodial parent profile. And make sure they don’t ask for non-custodial parent info via their own forms.
- If you have significantly high stats, you can look for colleges where you have either guaranteed merit aid, or a very good chance of getting significant merit aid.
With a $35,000 income, it’s not likely your dad can pay for college costs.
- What public universities are within commuting distance of your home? With your income, I believe you would pay no tuition costs at the SUNY and CUNY schools. @sybbie719 can elaborate on that.
SUNY schools are excellent and will give you free tuition. You would only have to pay your living expenses and books.
Living expenses, fees, and books for a student living on campus will run ~$15k/year. Costs for commuters aren’t cheap either.
@austinmshauri I was asking if there was a SUNY or CUNY campus within commuting distance. Yes, there are commuting costs, but they are not $15,000 a year.
If Op lives in Brooklyn, the only SUNY within commuting distance is FIT.
Op is most likely eligible for a fee waiver to apply to 6 CUNY Schools. OP will have a challenge applying for EOP/HEOP because they also ask for non-custodial information.
If OP is eligible for ASAP at the CUNY CC, tuition, fees, books and a metro card would be covered. Otherwise, student would probably receive enough TAP/PELL to cover tuition and gees at CUNY