<p>OK so to get straight to the point I'm applying to Cornell and they want you to fill out the CSS for both parents even if they're divorced. The problem together my parents probably make around 100-120k, but I live with my mom who only make 55k. So the problem is it will make me seem like I'm making more money, but my dad is putting zero towards my college so I couldn't afford it with his income also. Do you have to fill out this form and what happens if you don't? Will colleges understand? And my dad pays child support, but not a lot only so my mom says don't mention my dad at all on anything, but I feel like that's lying. And fear if I do get in and they find out I purposely didn't fill something out they'll like kick me out. So what do I do? Need help soon forms do by Monday the 5th.</p>
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You don’t have to fill it out, only if you want FA.<br>
You would have to repay all the excess aid they provided to you. Think about how hard that would be. You MUST include your father’s info. Your mother is not helping you by telling you not to mention him. The Profile will eventually get matched up to income tax records.</p>
<p>So what should I tell my mom, and she is sort of refusing to fill out his stuff or let me tell him to fill it out? And is there a way you can let the college know your non custodial parent is contributing so they don’t count them?</p>
<p>Your dad has a SEPARATE NCP form. your mom’s form doesn’t include him.</p>
<p>But, since he’s not dead, he has to fill out the NCP form…that’s a DIFFERENT form than the one that your mom is doing. Your mom fills out HER form with ONLY her info. Your dad fills out the NCP form.</p>
<p>If you neglect to have your dad fill out the NCP form then the school won’t give you ANY money at all. They will NOT only use your mom’s info. </p>
<p>It doesn’t matter that your dad won’t pay for college. Schools do NOT give more money just because a parent won’t pay. If schools did, then all parents would refuse to pay.</p>
<p>I mean my mom doesn’t want to me to let him fill the form out or do anything like that. When I was filling it out she got really mad that I put him. She keeps trying to tell me not to do it and she said she won’t fill out the fafsa later if he is on it. But I guess I’ll just tell me dad to fill it out, and tell my mom she has no idea what she is talking about</p>
<p>Sounds like your mom is hoping you’ll go to one of the thousands of colleges that only requires the FAFSA. Hopefully you have a few of those on your list!</p>
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And another cohort of kiddos has to learn this each year. Many somehow think their situation is different, and that colleges will roll over and throw cash at them because their parents won’t pay.</p>
<p>I just think that the financial aid given out should be based on who’s actually paying. I mean why include my dad if he’s not going to pay a dime towards it. I think I’m misrepresented in this, as it seems I have more money than I actually do. I worried that if I apply ed and get in because of my dad’s situation ill have to withdraw my application and that would suck</p>
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<p>OP,</p>
<p>I’d like to ask a different question: why have kids if you are not planning on financially supporting them? When your financial package comes in and if it does not cover all your needs, you might want to ask your dad this question.</p>
<p>That’s very naive. If that was the way it worked then parents everywhere would simply refuse to pay. </p>
<p>The money is in your family. Your Dad chooses not to help. That is a choice. It sucks for you but just because he chooses not to help does not mean that others will provide money at the expense of those who are truly needy. </p>
<p>Apply to FAFSA only schools and you don’t have this issue. Keep in mind that those schools typically don’t come close to meeting need though. </p>
<p>Your issue is with your father, not the system.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say the money is in my family I’m not seeing it and neither is my mother. So how is the money in my family. And I know the issue is with my dad not the system, but I shouldn’t have to pay for his mistakes and shortcomings.</p>
<p>OP,</p>
<p>I think there is a gap between what you think you are entitled to and the reality.</p>
<p>The reality is that no one is guaranteed to go to college, especially to such an expensive college as Cornell. If you have the stats to be admitted to Cornell, you probably have the stats to get admitted to a state school with at least some merit scholarships. These scholarships, combined with Stafford loans, parent Plus loans, summer job and part-time job during the year will probably cover COA. This is especially true if you live within commuting distance to a state school. </p>
<p>The point I am trying to make, is that you don’t have to pay for your father’s mistakes or short-comings. You just need to make wise choices yourself.</p>
<p>I generally suggest dont apply ED unless you don’t need to compare aid packages.</p>
<p>It is your choice to attend college, and your decision to apply to expensive colleges.</p>
<p>I understand your frustration that both of your parents are not going to contribute to your expenses, but you are not alone. Many families are not financially able to continue to support their children after they become adults. Some parents are able to support their adult children, they just choose not to, and unless it was specified in the divorce decree, that is their choice.</p>
<p>Have you spoken to your father about whether he was planning to contribute the amount of child support to your college expenses?</p>
<p>I also agree with suggestions to look at FAFSA only schools, although they will likely not meet full need. However, if you qualify for admission to Cornell, you may qualify for merit aid at a school like UAlabama.</p>
<p>Parents are legally and financially responsible for their children only until age 18. They do not owe them a college education.<br>
The sad truth is, that CSS colleges want data from both parents. Not to report it means comitting fraud. The worst that could happen is that you would be expelled from the school and required to repay any “undeserved” financial aid.
This might well be that Cornell is unaffordable for you. That stinks, but that is reality for many people in your position, and many kids with two parents who would support them if they could. Lerkin gives good advice: if you have the stats for Cornell there are many schools that would give you very generous merit aid, and where you could get a very decent education. Do a search on this site (since I don’t know how to put in a link) for schools that guarantee merit scholarships.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot everyone but I am a good student by I don’t know about Cornell good. It’s a reach which is why I am applying ED since it is my dream school, so I’ll apply and if its too much you can back out of the agreement.</p>
<p>“I shouldn’t have to pay for his mistakes and shortcomings”</p>
<p>Why should Cornell pay for his mistakes and sortcomings?</p>
<p>OP the money is in your family. Your father is choosing not to help. So it is NOT the same as a family that makes $50k. Yours makes $120k and that will be considered. </p>
<p>Applying ED to a school you know you can’t afford is a waste. There is no money fairy that will help. Plus if you do get in ED you are required to immediately withdraw ALL your other apps. When you finally get the Cornell FA decision and it is no where near enough what do you do then? Not withdrawing the other apps has very serious consequences. </p>
<p>Apply to Cornell if you want just don’t do it ED. And find schools you and your mother can afford on your own. That means FAFSA schools that will give you merit money.</p>
<p>When do there financial aid packs go out, before of after the regular decision deadline because if before I could still apply else where?</p>
<p>You can still apply everywhere you want RD. The problem is that you will not be able to compare financial packages from other schools before you have to decide to accept or turn down Cornell.</p>
<p>If the aid is sufficient I will just turn down Cornell and move on I guess, but will I see their aid package in December with the acceptance or later?</p>