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<p>Yes, in this case, you are being paranoid. :)</p>
<p>Your daughter’s 2013-14 financial aid package was determined by the FAFSA you filed last January (or thereabouts). It is not subject to reevaluation mid-year unless (a) a parent’s financial situation changes drastically for the worse and the student begs for more aid; or (b) a verification of the family’s tax returns shows that the figures reported on the FAFSA were wrong.</p>
<p>Also, since the noncustodial parent’s finances are NOT taken into account on FAFSA, your ex’s actions shouldn’t make a darned bit of difference anyway!</p>
<p>Regarding your plan to pay half and then just “wait and see” . . . I’d strongly urge you to check with the college before you do this. There could be consequences if the bill isn’t paid in full by the due date, and a quick phone call might be enough to stay those consequences until the PLUS results are in. (Remember, you’re not just waiting to see if he’s approved or not; he also has to execute and submit the MPN . . . which he may decide not to do.)</p>
<p>Also, if this bill is for first semester only, you might consider letting him pay it in full, and then pay the next semester’s bill yourself.</p>
<p>As cptofthehouse pointed out above, once Mr. Ex has borrowed the full amount, and has documentation to prove it (along with a loan contract stating that all funds MUST be used for the student’s expenses), as well as documentation from the school showing that the bill was paid in full, you might have a very difficult time convincing a judge that he didn’t pay the entire amount. So my advice would be to let him pay it, and you pay the next time.</p>
<p>As you suggested yourself, it’s unlikely to get that far. Either he’ll not be approved, or he’ll refuse to take out the loan . . . but you never know.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, eat ice cream . . . I find it works very well to relieve stress in situations like this. ;)</p>