Senior in high school lives with divorced mom who makes $45k/yr, father remarried. Fathers income is modest but step mom has solid income.
Great concern that non custodial stepmoms income may hurt ability to get aid based on need.
Any thoughts?
Almost all CSS profile schools will look at income from both parents and their spouses. And the schools that meet need almost all use the CSS profile.
The answers depend on the school and the type of aid.
Depends on the college.
Are you applying to colleges that require the non-custodial parent Profile form?
Even with that…there are a few colleges that don’t use step parent incomes.
What colleges?
The student (not sure if that’s you, or if you are the dad) should apply to colleges that do not ask for the step-mother’s income. You’ll have to email each financial aid office separately to get answers. But I am not sure if that exists, or even how that would work if the father and step-mother file taxes jointly and/or if their assets are held jointly.
In any event, this would only be a concern with schools that use the CSS Profile to determine eligibility for FA. Schools that use ONLY the Fafsa will not ask for financial income from the non-custodial parent at all.
Thanks for the replies, that cc thread that was linked has a great link referencing the CSS profile chart with NCP category. Seems like it’s a giant maze that may yield disappointment/anxiety later if many different options and outcomes aren’t explored.
Friend is targeting selective liberal arts colleges like Colgate/Bucknell, but those schools may only be possible if package is based on need. these may be in the category of match/reach schools (low 1400 SAT, with 4.0 weighted, 6 APs) so merit aid would not be expected.
Wondering if anyone can suggest some strong/solid LACs (maybe those with a modest step down from Colgate/Bucknell in formal rankings) in the northeast, midatlantic,mid south region (MA to SC) that would evaluate need liberally (based on household situation on original post of the thread) and/or make friendly merit package based on these stats. I know that we all can be a slave to these rankings and perceived reputation but I know there are some great schools out there that can offer a student like this a great education and experience, but without big loans after graduation.
Thanks again for the initial response and a bunch of LAC suggestions.
Wanting to help a friend is a good thing, but the student or parent/guardian needs to ask for themselves (CC rules).
fwiw, I know more than a few couples who did not marry until after kids came out of college specifically b/c of the financial aid implications of the prospective step-parent’s income.
Bucknell specifically includes step-parent income in estimating student need.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Yup. Closing thread. For privacy reasons, “asking for a friend” posts are not allowed.