I’m using the net price calculator to estimate my custodial parent contribution (I’m divorced) for a specific school. There is a question that says ‘How much support will the noncustodial parent contribute to your first year of college education?’. Does it make sense that the larger the number I put there, the more I have to pay? For instance, when I put zero, my parent contribution is $10,000. When I put $5000, my parent contribution is $15,000. When I put $10,000, my contribution is $20,000. I’m rounding off here, but that’s the general trend. Makes no sense. Why would I be expected to pay more if the non-custodial parent pays more?? My financial situation is not changing. Anyone have any insight?
The Net Price Calculator is using your income to determine what you can “afford”. That amount you can afford won’t change if you get addition college money from somewhere else (Noncustodial parent). So basically the calculator is adding the amount it determines you can afford and adding the outside money to the total.
I am assuming this calculator is based on FAFSA. That is how FAFSA would calculate it.
I think the calculator is figuring the TOTAL PARENTS contribution (for both households). I don’t think that when the number changes, that it means YOUR personal money contribution.
Usually when NCP info is considered, the student is given a pkg that just spits out a combined amount for ALL parents to pay…and it’s up to the parents to split that out. Some schools will split it out for you, but many do not.
Is this a CSS Profile school? Does it ask for NCP info?
As an FYI…in many cases the net price calculators are not accurate for divorced parents…at all.
Yes, this is a CSS school. The net price calculator must be doing that - showing both parents combined. Even though it says for divorced parents to run individually for each parent and then add the results.