<p>Hey everyone, I'm a junior trying to figure out financial aid as I'm finishing school, deciding on colleges to apply to, etc.</p>
<p>What is really bothering me is my non-custodial parent situation. A little about me: My mom and dad never married. Heck, I was born in a different country (though I have dual citizenship). I haven't seen my biological father ever. He's paid child support since I was 2 years old, and that's it for my relationship with him. My mom makes about $50,000, yet my biological father makes about $100,000. My mother has sole custody. </p>
<p>Would this be something that would be factored in against me for financial aid? I've been spending several hours searching up fin. aid policies at various universities and looking up similar situations on this website, but nothing seems to be giving me a clear answer since I feel like my situation is unique. </p>
<p>I appreciate the help, and I hope I can lay my worries to rest, or prepare to make the best out of my circumstances.</p>
<p>For schools that require the FAFSA only, you will list only your mom’s income and assets, including any child or spousal support she receives from your dad.</p>
<p>For schools requiring the CSS Profile (or their own form) you will need to provide whatever they ask for. If you apply to Profile schools, your dad will need to complete a non-custodial parent Profile IF required (some Profile schools do not require this).</p>
<p>While YOU don’t have “contact” with your dad, he IS paying child support, and it sounds like this has been ongoing. That being the case, it would be hard (in my opinion) for you to get a waiver for the non-custodial parent Profile.</p>
<p>Your situation is not particularly unique. There are many other students who have no contact with their non-custodial parent, other than their family receiving a check. Heck…some don’t even get the check!</p>
<p>I’ve appreciated the responses so far. They’ve been pretty clear and have given me pointers for more research.</p>
<p>Suppose, worst-case scenario, I cannot get him to fill out the non-custodial profile, or even contact him. Is it possible to have child support and not have contact? How would that affect a NCP waiver petition?</p>
<p>What worries me is the possibility of getting horrible financial aid relative to my mother’s current income thanks to my non-custodial parent. </p>
<p>If you are receiving child support, it is coming from someplace. Presumably that information would be used to contact your father regarding college financial aid application info.</p>
<p>You can request a non-custodial parent waiver from the various colleges to which you apply. They will tell you exactly what THEY want for documentation to get this waiver. It’s worth a try. Some schools may give this to you while others may not. </p>
<p>However, IF the schools do NOT grant you a NCP waiver, and your NCP does NOT submit their info, you will have an incomplete financial aid application file. The school will likely NOT process your request for their institutional need based aid. </p>
<p>Have you spoken to your mom about this? Do your colleges require the non-custodial parent Profile? I would suggest you have a discussion with your mom about college finances in general. This will give you some guidance into how much SHE can contribute towards college for you.</p>
<p>Also, look for colleges that have generous merit aid for your SAT or ACT score and GPA. There is a stickie thread at the top of this forum that is about guaranteed full tuition and full ride scholarships. Start there.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks for the info so far. I’m glad to know the full requirements. </p>
<p>Yeah, I’ve spoken to my mother about it, and we’re legitimately concerned. Hoping for the best, and preparing for the worst as they say. A majority of the colleges I’m applying to do require the non-custodial parent profile. </p>
<p>While he does pay child support, it had been a battle to secure it. He deposed my mom, had to prove paternity, etc. I’ve also never met him, and he has otherwise shown no concern. He was even married when he conceived with my mom (unknown to her). Though, the rest of that drama is a different story.</p>
<p>I’ve checked some example waivers, and they seem to ask for any documents explaining my situation upfront, instead of requesting it. Would they request documentation after an application? What kind of documents do colleges typically look for? Is it a set list for all applicants? Is it holistic? </p>
<p>I’ve also looked at my financial safeties just in case, like my state flagship school (I live in Florida, and I have access to Bright Futures and other scholarships). I’m just glad that I now have an idea of what to do next. Thanks for your advice and guidance, I have a much better idea of what to talk with my guidance counselor about!</p>
<p>As noted above, your situation is unfortunately not all that unique. And when there’s a non-custodial parent in the picture, colleges look to his ability to pay - not his willingness to pay.</p>
<p>You should apply to colleges that require the non-custodial profile with the expectation that you’ll need to file a waiver request and it may or may not not be granted . . . so you can hope for the best, but you need to have other options that you know will be affordable.</p>
<p>Thanks for your response, I also forgot about that list. I’ll definitely keep some of those schools on my mind. </p>
<p>Regarding the word unique, I meant to say that my situation was unique enough that I couldn’t find a similar situation to guide me after searching the web. I’m sure there’s a lot of students in my position or worse. Only problem was that I couldn’t find them! </p>
<p>My only remaining question is about waivers from an earlier post.</p>
<p>“I’ve checked some example waivers, and they seem to ask for any documents explaining my situation upfront, instead of requesting it. Would they request documentation after I apply for a waiver? What kind of documents do colleges typically look for? Is it a set for all applicants (you must have <em>__, </em><em>, and </em> or ____), or is it holistic?”</p>
<p>In advance of requesting a waiver, put together the following:</p>
<p>(1) TWO letters from professionals who know you and are somewhat familiar with your family situation (i.e. can say, “I’ve known this student for years, and have never seen his/her father. The only contact info I have is for the mother.”). Each letter should be signed, should include the author’s contact info, and should (if possible) be written on the author’s professional letterhead.</p>
<p>(2) A brief statement from you describing your relationship with your father.</p>
<p>(3) A brief statement from your mother providing any additional background info on your father’s relationship with the family. (This might include events, statements, etc., that only she has personal knowledge of, even though you might have heard about them.)</p>
<p>Scan all the above and have it ready to go in electronic form.</p>
<p>When you’ve submitted your CSS Profile, contact each school by email stating that you’d like to request a waiver of the non-custodial parent profile and asking what they need. Some schools have a specific waiver form; others don’t. Some will require a single letter from a third party; others will require two. Some will require statements from you and your mother; others won’t. With the documents you put together ahead of time, you’ll be able to send them whatever they need immediately. (It can all be sent by email, or uploaded electronically, as the school prefers. Originals aren’t necessary.)</p>
<p>It is my understanding that the schools have a process for requesting a NCP waiver. Each school will tell you want THEY want to have. It could vary by school. Just do,what the schools ask you to do.</p>