I am a single parent, never married to my daughters’ father, never collected child support or was given any money after we seperated 14 years ago, my daughters are now 17. I do not want to include his information on CSS and am choosing to say that where abouts unknown. We are not in touch- but I was informed that he started paying taxes for the first time two years ago. I am concerned that if CSS finds out that he has paid taxes then they will think he has the potential to contribute to college…which is not the case. I am concerned that I could jeapordize financial aid if I add his info- or don’t add his info. Rock and a hard place…any insight? Thank you!
You’re obligated to provide the information that is required, if you know it. If for some reason you have the ability but don’t want to provide required information, the reasonable solution is to choose to not complete the form and do without whatever need-based aid the student might otherwise be eligible for.
Having attended a number of FA sessions at CSS profile schools, this is a fairly common situation, at least, one that the Profile schools are well aware of. I would suggest you contact the FA dept at the schools, as they will have had experience in dealing with a similar situation. I completely agree with @BelknapPoint , if you know information that they are requesting, you are obligated to supply it. If you don’t know and don’t have contact with the other parent, the schools will not hold it against you - they may have different approaches as to what they want you to sign to prove you don’t have contact with him.
This issue has been addressed in previous threads and not surprisingly, there has been a difference of opinion on how to handle these things. I’m guessing that the original poster knows that she must report the information that she knows, even though it may open a can of worms. Different colleges will handle the “absent” noncustodial parent differently. Some colleges will accept a self-report of no contact/no support. Others will attempt to get documentation. Some schools have a waiver form that you will fill out to request permission to not provide the form filled out by the noncustodial parent. Generally, this is a school specific question.