<p>My child was just accepted early decision at an ivy league school. The non-custodial parent submitted a CSS that said zero income, not going to contribute to college. After the school audited the NCP (requested tax returns and personal budget) pre-admission, NCP parent finally admitted a mid 5-figure income. The child's total financial aid package came with acceptance letter, and is based on both parents income, but now that child is accepted, NCP won't pay a dime. Wealthy grandparents on that side of the family refuse, too. </p>
<p>I can pay my portion of the EFC (assuming it's around half or two-thirds), but not non-custodial parent's portion, too because I will have other kids in college all at the same time next year and NCP still owes back child support in the 5 figures. Any advice?</p>
<p>Some colleges give a suggested contribution breakdown between custodial and non-custodial parents–but it is just a suggestion. But unless you have a divorce decree that requires the other parent to pay, you have no recourse. You have to pay the entire bill. Realize there are married couples who also disagree on college costs, too, and there is no way to force even a married parent to pay.</p>
<p>College is optional, even if important for many parents. You will need to fund this on your own or look at more affordable colleges.</p>
<p>I assumed so- but since the back child support will apparently be continuing while the student is in college- couldn’t that be used for tuition?</p>
<p>I don’t think the school is likely to do anything here. No parent has to pay for college and many kids have parents who won’t pay their EFC. All you can do is ask the school, maybe one of the rich ivies will help, but the fact that he cooperated and sent in his forms hurts you.</p>
<p>The non-custodial parent submitted a CSS that said zero income, not going to contribute to college. After the school audited the NCP (requested tax returns and personal budget) pre-admission,* NCP parent finally admitted a mid 5-figure income**. *</p>
<p>wow…just wow. </p>
<p>Which ivy school is this? If it’s HYP then your “family portion” may be quite low. AND…since ivies don’t include student loans, your child can take a 5500 student loan which should help cover what would have been the NCP’s share.</p>
<p>How much do you think the “family contribution” will be? There will be a “student contribution” from a summer job, so if that’s not too high, perhaps your child can commit more from a summer job?</p>
<p>Also…keep in mind that COAs are very padded, so the amount that you will actually owe the school may be much less than you think. </p>
<p>The family portion of the EFC was about half of the “retail price tag”. And no, it’s not HYP. I’m going to ask the school their advice, but I was hoping maybe someone would have an interesting, creative idea on the problem here. Anyone ever deal with FA office? Thank you for all your input. Truly.</p>
<p>Creative idea? A creative way to force the NCP? Or a creative approach to loans and financing?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, there are no creative ways to deal with large gaps. It is often said on this forum that there is no “money fairy,” which is another way to stress that there are no “little known tricks and tips” that have been overlooked and can be found by scouring the net. </p>
<p>How much is owed? How much can you cover via cash, student loans and perhaps parent loans? What is the remaining gap? At this point it is a numbers game and cobbling together known resources and extra work to see if the numbers actually crunch.</p>
<p>Please keep in mind that the first people in line when it comes to paying for your daughter’s education is her parents; (you and your ex). </p>
<p>Your ex has stated that he does not want to pay (or is not going to pay) for her education. The school is going to do nothing about that. </p>
<p>Need based financial aid is based on what the school believes that the family can afford to pay, not their willingness to pay.</p>
<p>If you truly believe that you are not in a financial position to make this work and you have spoken to your ex and he has said so much as “the decision of the tribal counsel is final”, then your daughter needs to withdraw the application and start applying to some FAFSA only schools (where his income and assets will not be considered) and schools where she stands a chance to get some merit aid. </p>
<p>There is ~ 2 weeks until RD applications are due (in most cases Dec. 31-Jan1)</p>
<p>That was a bit of a dangerous game that was played with ED. If the one parent + the student work money + Federal student loan maximum + the second parent court ordered monthly paybacks will not cover the amount and the college has said “no” to more money I’m afraid there isn’t much that you can do. Your student should probably ensure they have a few FAFSA only colleges where the ex’s income won’t come into consideration or it could be an ugly spring if the student gives up the ED and doesn’t have a financial safety. I’m sorry for the jam you are in.</p>
<p>The family portion of the EFC was about half of the “retail price tag”.</p>
<p>Are you saying that your “family contribution” is about $30k? </p>
<p>How much is the parent contribution?</p>
<p>How much is the student contribution?</p>
<p>How much EXACTLY is being given in GRANTS (free money) and how much for the rest (work study, etc)?</p>
<p>You need to sit down and look at Direct school costs (tuition, room, board, fees). How much is that?</p>
<p>Then look at the “flexible expenses” such as books, transportation, and personal expenses. How much is that? This is where costs can be trimmed. Books can be purchased used, online, borrowed, rented, etc. </p>
<p>You need to do some quick calculations since this is an ED school that needs an answer. You can contact them and ask for more money…even a few more thousand might make the difference once a student loan is added. </p>
<p>If you discover that there’s no way the school is affordable, then your D will have to look for other schools that will work. Vandy doesn’t use NCP info. Neither does USC. Any school that does use NCP info will likely have the same outcome, except for HYPS.</p>
<p>Good luck (and glad to hear that ex will now have to cough up back child support…he’s lucky his fanny hasn’t been tossed in jail.)</p>
<p>Thank you for that info – please know that I had no clue at all that NCP wouldn’t contribute. It came as a complete surprise (understatement). Didn’t seem like a dangerous game or risk – in fact was assured there would be a fat contribution before applying. Life throws curve balls and I’m committed to making this work. But doing my homework here… will let you know what happens. I guarantee I’m not the only one in this spot.</p>
<p>You definitely are not the only one in this spot. If you search the threads you will find many threads where non-custodial, custodial or stepparents are unwilling to pay for college. </p>
<p>However, it does not qualify as a criteria for professional judgement where the financial aid offer will change your aid package.</p>
<p>* please know that I had no clue at all that NCP wouldn’t contribute. It came as a complete surprise (understatement). Didn’t seem like a dangerous game or risk – in fact was assured there would be a fat contribution before applying. *</p>
<p>Your ex (who is way behind in child support) told you that he’d provide a “fat contribution”? Wow. Hard to believe knowing that he’d be simultaneously paying the back child support. No offense, but he sounds like a big fat liar through and through. Yikes! I hope he realizes that his behavior will have long-lasting sting to your D. Kids don’t forget these things. </p>
<p>* I’m committed to making this work*</p>
<p>Please…commit to **trying **to make this work. Don’t commit to making it work if that means jeopardizing your financial security or that of any other kids you have to put thru college. If you have younger kids, then their colleges won’t care if you have outstanding loans from your older child’s education. Many have posted here after realizing that they can’t afford to pay much for Child #2’s college costs, because they still have debt payments from Child #1. And, Child #2’s school won’t give more money.</p>
<p>If you answer the questions in post 14, we can help you find creative ways to possibly make this work. :)</p>
<p>Sometimes schools will look at special circumstances and give a professional judgement or a dependency override to make adjustments to the financial aid package.</p>
<p>I see that your D was accepted to Brown (congrats).</p>
<p>Brown states:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It seems that Brown came up with a non-custodial EFC based on your ex’s income and assets. However, they cannot make him pay it. If your ex chooses not to pay it, Brown will not increase your aid.</p>
</p>