Divorced?
If so, read FAQ: Divorced parents, financial aid, and net price calculators on financial aid for that situation. (However, the definition of “custodial parent” is scheduled to change soon to the parent providing the most financial support.). Basically, divorced parents can be very disadvantageous at many good-financial-aid colleges.
Chicago and Vanderbilt are the two “prestige” privates that do not require non custodial parent finances for financial aid, so you may want to check their net price calculators.