MIT acceptance-appeal for financial aid eligibility?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I really need your help. My brother was accepted into the MIT class of 2018, and we're all really happy for him, because it was his dream school. However, we all know that MIT is super expensive. I've been through the whole college application process, and I know that MIT mainly provides aid for need-based individuals. It's really complicated, but my parents have been facing some issues with their divorce (not going to try to bore you here), but to get straight to the point, my father is refusing to disclose his financial information for the sake of my brother's FAFSA application, so my brother was unable to file for his FAFSA to be considered for any money from the government and from MIT. My mother has been supporting me in college (which I primarily chose because they provided me with the most aid, and not because I wanted to attend) and is frustrated by the fact that my father is not willing to help out, despite their marital status. My mother is currently unemployed, so we really do need as much aid as possible to make it possible for my brother to attend college. She, personally, has written a letter to the MIT financial aid office asking them to reassess the situation and allow my brother to be considered for scholarships and any type of aid, but they had denied her request, saying that both parents are responsible for paying for my brother's tuition. </p>

<p>I do understand MIT's reasoning, but in our case, our father has never been there to support any of us and practically is not part of our family, but yet is still refusing to legally separate from my mother (which is why the FAFSA is still asking for my father's income). I am really not trying to make this a sad sob story, but my whole family does not know what else to do. I am writing this in hopes that someone on CC may possibly know what we can do or know who contact in MIT to explain this situation to. We are not trying to get more money from MIT or trick our way into getting more aid; I believe my brother deserves to be considered for financial aid and be able to attend the school that he had worked so hard to get into. Thanks for reading and hopefully we can try to figure something out!</p>

2

<p>

I’m not a lawyer, but I think this is the crux of the matter. Are your parents going through the process of divorce? Could the lawyers, or the judge in charge of their case, compel your father to provide his financial information and support your brother’s college expenses?</p>

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<p>I agree with Mollie - consulting a lawyer, if you are able, is probably the next step. I… doubt they can compel the father to do anything (since your brother will presumably 18), which sort of highlights the terribleness of the US college system’s way of handling money :confused: But a lawyer will have a better idea than us on what is possible.</p>

<p>If you need more time – and again, I’d consult a lawyer before doing this – keep in mind that MIT does allow you to defer admission for a year or two. That isn’t a solution, but it might buy you some time you need.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for the replies! I will try to speak to my mom’s lawyer and see what we can do. </p>