Noncustodial Waivers for CSS Profile

<p>I haven't seen/talked to/had a relationship with my father for almost nine years. He does pay child support, but because he was always late the state intervened. Child support comes out of his bank account by the state he lives in, is sent to the state I live in, then deposited in my mother's bank account. She has had to work two jobs seventy hours a week to support my family because child support is only 2700 per year. Currently, I have no idea where he lives or how to contact him; my grandparents (on my father's side) don't even know where he is. </p>

<p>Are the chances of receiving a noncustodial waiver slim? Specifically at Yale and Brown. Thanks.</p>

<p>The only way you’ll know is to apply for a waiver at those schools. If someone here says, 'no, it’s not likely", would you then not even try? That doesn’t make sense to me.</p>

<p>If someone says, “yeah, you’ll get it” would that change anything about your application plans? Would you choose then not to apply to some safety schools that you stood a better chance of being able to afford? That doesn’t make sense to me either. Of course you need to have backup plans.</p>

<p>From reading these boards for quite a while, and from experience with personal friends, I’ll tell you the likelihood of getting a waiver is not very predictable. It depends on the school, on the year, on the personal situation of each student. Just be prepared to document your situation – the state intervention in collecting payments, and some credible witnesses to your situation (counselor, lawyer, clergy, etc.)</p>

<p>Good luck. You don’t know if you can get a waiver if you don’t try.</p>

<p>I’ve dealt with at least 8 of these (AWOL or unreachable dads) in the last 9 months (as a college admissions person in an inner city HS) and I will tell you that it really varies from school to school. Some schools are really lax, will take your word for it, and others will require documentation, a little or a lot. I suspect that Yale and Brown, as they are awarding lots of money (or can, at least) will want a lot of documentation. Very good advice though, that it does not hurt to ask–what do you have to lose?</p>