My parent lives in China. Do I fill out the Noncustodial Parent Waiver Form?

<p>I've already directly contacted colleges but I've only been redirected to a different department or my question was completely ignored. So hey, maybe CC can help clear this up?</p>

<p>My noncustodial parent lives in China and neither files taxes nor financially contributes to my household. Do I need to fill out a noncustodial parent waiver instead of the online Noncustodial PROFILE? I'm still in contact with him; it's just that I'm not sure how to provide financial forms when he doesn't have any. </p>

<p>^Yes I think so. There is no difference if he lives in China or US.</p>

<p>If your non-custodial parent is alive and you have contact with him…and the colleges require the NCP Profile…then he either needs to complete it, or you need to get a waiver. I would imagine he needs to complete it. He would just fill in the fields, and indicate what his income is. It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t file taxes in China, and it doesn’t matter that he doesn’t contribute to your household. He is your non-custodial parent, and schools that require that form will want to know his financials.</p>

<p>It is usual that a student would NOT have financial information on a parent. The parent provides the information. Also, you might want to see if your parents would fit the definition of “separated” for FAFSA purposes. If your mother files taxes as HOH , that could be a basis for that. </p>

<p>My impression was that the OP’s parents were not married! </p>

<p>I would fill out the waiver form. My mom had to do it and it was a PITA, but ultimately worth it. My father had zero, zip, nada to do with my life (and didn’t contribute financially at all), and the wavier helped to paint a clearer, accurate picture that I was a student with a single mother and single income parent household.</p>

<p>@cpto @thumper1 I think my parents’ relationship would be defined as “separated.” They’re still married but they live separately. </p>

<p>@proudterrier‌ Did you still have contact with your dad?</p>

<p>Yes but I had never spoken to or met him. My mother didn’t want him involved in the process at all, so she did the wavier.</p>

<p>zgamer, unless your parents a separated due to marital difficulties, the fact they live in two separate residences doesn’t mean they are separated for financial aid purposes. </p>

<p>@kgos16 But I spend more time with my mom than my dad and my dad does not financially support me. </p>

<p>It doesn’t matter that you spend more time with your mom and your dad doesn’t support you. </p>

<p>For Profile schools your parents likely will be viewed as married. You can’t get a “waiver” for a parent who is still married to the other parent. </p>

<p>You can call the college for clarification. </p>

<p>It’s definitely an odd situation. How long has your mom been here, and your dad in China?</p>

<p>@thumper1 Four years. I’m confused, does that mean I can have a noncustodial parent but not necessarily separated parents?</p>

<p>Does your mother file tax returns here in the US? What is her status on those returns? Read up on the FAFSA definition for “separated”. </p>

<p>If your parents are deemed separated, you can request a NCP waiver form for PROFILE. You will have to ask each school for which you file such a form what else is needed. Each school has its own requirements. If your parents are not considered separated, then you need your father’s financial info for both FAFSA and PROFILE. </p>

<p>There is another student on this forum with the same issue right now. Parent lives in Korea…but she lives here with her other parent.</p>

<p>I have to say…it’s very confusing. Very.</p>

<p>Is your parents’ intent to remain a married couple, or is this a permanent separation which will ultimately lead to a divorce.</p>

<p>If they intend to remain married, it is very possible that they will be viewed as married for financial aid purposes. If that is the case, both of their incomes and assets will need to be listed on the FAFSA and on the a profile.</p>

<p>If they are deemed separated…as in on the road to divorce…then on,y your mo would be on the FAFSA…and your mom would complete the a profile. Your dad would complete the NCP Profile, unless you are granted a NCP waiver. You would need to apply to each school.</p>

<p>@cptofthehouse‌ Okay, her marital tax status is married. So I’m going to assume I still need to fill out the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.</p>

<p>Why do your parents live apart? If it’s because they have had marital difficulties and no longer wish to be married, then they are considered separated. Then you have an NCP. If they still consider themselves a married couple and live apart for some other reason, then they are married for finaid and you don’t have an NCP.</p>

<p>This is what UPenn told the student in the other thread in an email:</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Post 86 here:</p>

<p><a href=“I'm confused about the signed tax returns. - #76 by ThePariah - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1694415-im-confused-about-the-signed-tax-returns-p6.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>There is material out there regarding the definition of “separated” for FAFSA purposes. I suggest OP read the material carefully. Though it is not required that the CP files as separated or HOH on the tax returns, it would be a flag if it were not so, as Kelsmom has indicated, though that still does not mean the parents cannot file as separated. If flagged further questioning may ensue by the fin aid officers at some if not all of the schools. </p>

<p>zgamergirl -</p>

<p>Since your mom is filing taxes as married, then file FAFSA and CSS Profile with your parents as married. You will need to find out the details of your dad’s financial information for both of those.</p>

<p>@annoyingdad‌ He left to take care of my grandpa. </p>

<p>So Stanford replied to my message about the waiver and said:

</p>

<p>This didn’t answer my question so I asked them the same thing rephrased and they replied:

</p>

<p>… so they’re saying I should fill out the Noncustodial Parent Waiver Form instead of the PROFILE form.</p>

<p>MIT was different (more helpful):

</p>

<p>Thus, like what happymomof1 and annoyingdad suggested, I will fill out the CSS Profile. </p>

<p>I replied to MIT with:

</p>

<p>And they responded:

</p>

<p>So basically because I still have contact with my dad, I should still include him in my CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE forms and not opt for the waiver instead. </p>