<p>I was recently accepted to Columbia as a transfer. It's my dream school and I really want to go, but I have a huge financial aid problem. I turned in my materials, but not thinking I had any chance of being accepted, I didn't double check that everything was complete. It turns out that in addition to the non-custodial parent profile, they need the tax forms of the non-custodial parent, and my dad has yet to file. All my other forms are in, and my father's income is negligible, but I contacted Columbia and they said my application will not be considered complete until they receive my dad's tax returns--since it is so late it is possible I will not get aid. Is there anything I can do about this? I realize it is to some extent my fault, but I have no control over when my dad files. I'm really worried since I really really want to go to Columbia, but without aid I don't see how I can. The financial aid officer I spoke with was completely unsympathetic, is there anyone else I could appeal to?</p>
<p>You need to appeal to your FATHER.</p>
<p>If his income is negligible than filing will be easy for him. Offer to help him. Columbia can’t just take your word for the fact that he’s low income. They want to see proof.</p>
<p>I’ve tried my best and he promises to work on it, but is that really all I can do? It makes me want to cry to think that I won’t be able to go to my dream school all because my dad can’t get his act together. Don’t schools encounter late-filers rather frequently? Are they all just out of luck?</p>
<p>It’s May. Taxes were due in April. Are you sure your father still hasn’t done them? Did he tell you ahead of time that he wouldn’t fill out forms? I wonder if he’s just stalling because he doesn’t want you to know how much he earns or he doesn’t want to be on the hook for contributing. Have you already told Columbia you’re attending and turned down other schools? You need to have a sit down conversation with your dad and explain that you will not be able to attend college if he doesn’t fill the forms out. Is there someone you can ask to help convince your dad-- an older sibling, your grandparents, an aunt/uncle?</p>
<p>He says he hasn’t filed, and he really has no reason to lie. My mom doesn’t expect him to contribute. He filled out the noncustodial parent profile (which was all the other schools I applied to needed) but he just has not filed taxes for whatever reason. I have not yet committed to columbia just because of this aid situation. I’m worried that at this point, even if he were to file right away, I would get no aid. Is that not the case?</p>
<p>The federal government’s Pell Grant and Stafford Loans are an entitlement that everyone receives even if their parents file their taxes unlawfully late. However, any aid that can “run out” (such as Perkins loans and state grants) may or may not be lost if you don’t meet the financial aid deadline for no good reason. The best people to help you are the college and your father. Your father has to fill out his taxes eventually or he’ll go to prison, and the college has to tell you whether or not missing the deadline impacts your financial aid eligibility as far as their own institutional aid. I think it doesn’t but I honestly don’t know.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help. I contacted the college and the financial aid officer said she didn’t know if I could/would still get aid. I guess there’s not much left to do but wait and see.</p>
<p>Heavens, Garda, no need to scare the poor kid! Many people file for extensions, which would mean tax filings are due in August, the IRS does not put prosecute people for failure to file unless it’s a case of massive fraud, and he may be due a refund in which case he’s not going to be penalized for late filing anyway! And state grants, afaik, do not require the NCP’s info.</p>
<p>Agree with skatermom. When we dealt with CU FA, they actually offered to relook at a the current year (where we weren’t getting aid) when we were inquiring about an upcoming filing for the next year because of change of circumstances. They were incredibly helpful. Aid for continuing students hasn’t been awarded yet. I can’t know for certain, but my expectation is that if your dad gets the form in soon, it will not affect your aid. They are pretty good about meeting need.</p>
<p>That makes me feel much better, thank you!</p>