Hi. I’ve tried to find the answer to this question for the past hour, but I can’t, so I’m asking you guys.
My parents have been divorced for 12-ish years. My father pays child support, but other than that, I don’t have any contact with him. I do not expect him to help me pay for college. I understand that this isn’t a valid reason to get a NCP waiver, so I contacted him and told him that I need him to fill out the NCP. After some convincing, he submitted it. However, my father makes approximately $100,000 (this is a guess) while my mom makes about $40,000. I have several questions:
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Will I get screwed over financial-aid wise with schools that require the NCP because my father makes so much more money than my mom? (Even though he won’t contribute to my education?)
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Of the schools I’m applying to, 3 require the CSS Profile. Of those three, only one requires the NCP. Can the other two schools still see the information that my father submitted? Even though they don’t require the NCP, will they still use my father’s information to determine my financial aid because he submitted it for the one school? (Essentially, I’m asking whether I’m screwed at all three schools or just the one that requires the NCP.)
I’m going through this process alone and I’m very confused. Thank you for your time.
Sounds like the schools that require NCP info will not be affordable because they’ll expect a substantial contribution from your dad, which won’t happen.
What schools are you applying to that you know FOR SURE are affordable because you know you’ll have all costs covered??
Many kids find out in the spring that none of their schools are affordable because their parents or NCP won’t pay. Please protect yourself. Are you applying to any schools that will give you a huge amount of merit scholarship money?
Thank you very much, thumper1.
Thank you for your concern, mom2collegekids.
I’m applying to several state schools that should be affordable. They also only use the FAFSA. I’m also expecting to get significant merit money both academic-wise (not trying to sound narcissistic, but I have good stats) and talent-wise (I’m a music education major).
Which state schools are you applying to?
What is your home state?
What are your stats?
the concern is that FAFSA only schools don’t usually give much in aid. You may be gapped.
I live in New York. The state schools I’m applying to are SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Fredonia.
I got a 1500 on my SATs (the new ones), I have a 96.68 GPA (unweighted), I’ve taken 6 AP classes and got mostly 4s and one 5 on the exams. I’m 8th in my class. I also have a lot of music-related extracurriculars and leadership positions.
Good luck on your audition at Potsdam! I’m hoping the strength of your audition nets you some music merit money.
The schools are not trying to penalize you for a having a NCP who won’t contribute to tuition, but they will treat you the same as every other student with two parents with two incomes. They’d treat you that way if your parents were married.
If the child support will stop when you graduate from high school, you might have to point that out on the CSS. There really isn’t a way to point it out on the FAFSA.
Child support in NYS ends at 21. Mom may be able to request an upward modification for college if it is not part of the divorce decree
What is your rank?
If you are part of the top 4 you may be eligible for the academic excellence scholarship ( between $1500 for number one and $500 for all others at your school 4 year renewable ) which is stackable
If you are in the top 10% you may be eligible for STEM incentive scholarship for full tuition ( renewable also also stackable)
If you are in the top 15% you will be eligible for an AIMS scholarship ($500 per year renewable also stackable )
What is your intended major