<p>I received a decent financial aid package from my university this year, but my non-custodial parent (father) was, according to the payment break-down given to me by my university, supposed to pay 4 times the amount my mother was assigned to pay. It did not say anywhere whether or not it was mandatory or suggested. He has not paid the child support he is supposed to be paying for over 2 years, and has never offered to help me with college, therefore my mother has been forced to pay his share. </p>
<p>What can I do about this? My financial aid package does not reflect what I can actually pay, and my father's salary is distorting what I am getting from my university.</p>
<p>EDIT: I go to a private university that requires the IDOC.</p>
<p>No, it is not mandatory. The school will base your aid on what they think your parents should be able to pay. But your non custodial parent is not obliged to pay their share any more than your custodial parent is obliged to pay theirs.</p>
<p>In divorce situations where the non custodial parent is not willing to contribute you are probably better off with FAFSA only schools.</p>
<p>This is really no different from students whose parents are married but who are not willing to pay what the school expects them to pay.</p>
<p>Your father’s salary is not “distorting” what you are getting from the university. Your university uses non-custodial parent info to determine aid. Apparently your father has the resources to provide college financial support. It is not mandatory that he do so, and there is no law that says he must. There is no law that says ANY parent (married or divorced) is required to fund college costs.</p>
<p>The college has computed a family contribution that includes your father. Really they don’t care who pays the money, but someone will have to for you to continue attending that school.</p>
<p>Actually, your financial aid package reflects what the school believes your parents can afford to pay based on their income and assets. Whether or not your parents actually want to pay is a separate issue. </p>
<p>Paying for college is a moral and a social “obligation”, it is not a legal obligation. No one can “force” your father to pay if he does not want to pay. No one is “focing” your mother to pay your father’s share. If she wants to pay it for you to attend, that is her choice. If your father doesnot want to pay and your mother cannot afford to pay his share, then you may need to look for another school. </p>
<p>The college is not going to change your FA package due to your father’s unwillingness to pay. Your parents are first in line when it comes to paying for your education. If your father says no, he is essentially saying let other people pay for your education (insitutional aid is available through the generousity of other people contributing to the endowment).</p>
<p>but my non-custodial parent (father) was, according to the payment break-down given to me by my university, supposed to pay 4 times the amount my mother was assigned to pay.</p>
<p>Your school’s FA package actually stated how much each parent is supposed to pay? If so, I think that’s rather unique (but a fair idea). I think others report that their families just get one big number…regardless of whether one parent has a much bigger income.</p>
<p>Anyway…Going to a school that looks at both parents’ incomes when you should have known that your dad wouldn’t pay was a CHOICE. If your mom cannot continue to pay for the entire “family contribution,” then it wasn’t a good idea to choose this school.</p>
<p>Students in your situation are usually better at FAFSA only schools OR CSS schools that don’t consider NCP info.</p>
<p>*He has not paid the child support he is supposed to be paying for over 2 years, *</p>
<p>Your mom needs to get that money and put it towards college. However, if he gives it to her in a lump sum, then it could hurt your aid. It might help if in lieu of him giving it to your mom, that the payment schedule be one where he pays the school.</p>
<p>Well, usually parents are not legally obliged to pay for education, but a good divorce agreement should actually provide remedy for this situation.</p>
<p>Ask your mom if her divorce settlement says something along the lines of “parents SHALL share equally in educational costs” or some language to that effect.</p>
<p>If it does, and the agreement provision extends beyond age 18, for example, ask her to seek a judgment for the amount shown on all school bills to which he has not contributed. If it goes to arbitration or mediation, he could then be asked to take out a PLUS loan to cover it if he doesn’t have the money.</p>
<p>If he has sufficient assets to be assessed FOUR TIMES the amount your mother is being assessed by the school, there is no earthly reason for your mother to continue to shoulder this burden alone!</p>
<p>Just do not expect the school itself to be in a position to do anything about it. Good luck!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>If you received a “decent” financial aid package from the school, what is the problem?</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Maybe it was “fair” based on the belief that the dad would pay. I think this student thought that because some school said that he had to pay, that somehow he was legally obligated. As we well know, no parent (CP or NCP) is legally obligated.</p>
<p>I think her mom may have trouble paying 4X the amount that she’s supposed to be paying based on her assets/income. It’s one thing to do it one year, but she may not be able to do it for all 4 years. </p>
<p>However, since the NCP was already 2 years behind in child support, I don’t know why the CP and the child thought he would pay for college.</p>
<p>I’m still wondering if this school is unusual and somehow breaks out the “family contribution” into 3 parts…</p>
<p>CP contribution
NCP contribution
Student contribution.</p>
<p>Frankly, I think that’s fair.</p>