<p>I have a few questions about the CSS Profile that I can't seem to find a straight answer to, in terms of how I should actually go about answering some questions, etc.</p>
<p>-Noncustodial profile: What if I have no contact with my other parent at all? [no contact for a decade, no financial support, etc.]</p>
<p>-Noncustodial profile procedure: Does every single college/university have a different policy toward a noncustodial parent that is effectively unable to fill out their part in the forms?</p>
<p>What you need to do is file the CSS Profile with your custodial parent. You will have to contact the schools to which you’re applying and ask for a waiver for the non-custodial parent’s Profile. Schools set their own policies/guidelines for granting these. It is not standardized. Some may want just a letter from you explaining your situation, others may want documentation from someone outside your family that is familiar with the situation (a counselor, clergy, attorney, etc.), some may want court orders for unpaid child support or things of that nature. You really need to contact each school and ask, but go ahead and just get the rest of the CSS Profile submitted by any required deadlines.</p>
<p>My son’s best friend got a waiver from a couple of schools with just a letter from his custodial parent explaining the family history and current situation. You will find, though, that some schools may not budge on this and will decline the waiver request, others may be more accommodating.</p>
<p>Just going through this situation now (and 'rentof2 has helped) and can tell you that you or your custodial parent need to contact the individual schools. It appears as though <em>the</em> key tipping point issue is whether the whereabouts of the non-custodial parent are known. If so, the waiver does not appear to be an option. One of the schools mentioned abuse as another possible reason (i.e. not wanting to place the student or custodial parent in harms way) for which a waiver may be granted. This is a tough one for many parents/students as I am quickly learning. Good luck and try everything.</p>
<p>Pianomom12, I hope it all works out for you. I have not dealt with this myself so I only can speak to the limited experience I am familiar with --my son’s best friend-- and they did know where his father was. They gave his contact info to the college, had exchanged emails with him about filling out the NCP form, etc. This kid got a waiver from his ED school, then after a year there he transferred to another college and got the waiver from them also. He has very high financial need, and his father makes good money… so those waivers were critical for him. Fortunately they were both well-endowed schools that meet full need without loans.</p>
<p>I dont mean to take over a thread, but I have a CSS Profile question too. My dad (Non custodial) quit his 2nd job before the 2009 year and his salary is lower for this past year. However, he is not sure if he will have his most recent (2009) tax info on time for my Profile Schools. </p>
<p>Should we just use the 2008 information and try to estimate then sumbit corrections when his new tax information comes back that is LOWER comes?</p>
<p>You should estimate as accurately as possible his 2009 income. If it was lower than 2008, you need to estimate how much lower he expects it to be and submit that figure.</p>
<p>When he’s done his taxes you can send the corrected numbers to the college(s), but you don’t want to present a situation to them up front where they may be expecting you’ll be able to afford to pay X-amount and then surprise them with only being able to pay 1/2 that. In general it’s better to err on the lower side and then send adjusted figures that are slightly higher than to do the reverse.</p>
<p>However, don’t low-ball just to low-ball. Send as accurate predicted numbers as possible.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your answers, 'rent and pianomom :)</p>
<p>However now I must ask, does this mean that for each and every college I intend to apply to [and receive consideration for financial aid] that requires the CSS Profile will have a unique way of dealing with the non-custodial side of the profile?</p>
<p>Use accurate information from 2009 income and current bank statements (for interest, etc). This would include any pay stubs your dad DOES have for 2009. Estimate as accurately as possible. THEN get the taxes done as soon as possible after Feb 1. This is not the year to delay getting taxes done until April 15.</p>