So, my parents are married but they are separated and don’t live together. I was chosen for verification by two schools and one of the schools asks for Tax transcripts and W2’s from both the custodial parent AND the separated parent. I don’t have contact with the separated parent and can’t get those documents so what do I do?
Another question, on my financial aid award I got work study amount of $1800. I’m a bit confused as to how that money is going to be paid to the school if I don’t get that money right away until I start actually working. Do I work and all the money automatically goes to the school or what?
You work and get a paycheck.
Do you know where the separated parent lives or works? When is the time you or the parent you live with saw or spoke to or emailed the separated parent? Does the separated parent provide you and your parent with money for living expenses?
did your NCP complete the NCP financial aid application form, or did your custodial parent list your parents as married, and include your NCPs income on the fafsa she/he completed?
@Madison85 I don’t know his whereabouts. But last time we lived together I believe he was retired; he did not work. That was many years ago though, and no he does not provide us with any support.
@thumper1 My NCP did not complete anything. I completed the FAFSA myself and I listed my parents as separated so it did not ask for his income.
Is your school a school that uses the Profile or a form for NCP financial information? If not, why would,they be asking for this information?
@thumper1 it is a school that only uses FAFSA. This is the form http://www.umass.edu/umfa/sites/default/files/Forms/Even_Dependent_Verification.pdf
Where you check off separated, you can see that it asks for those supporting documents.
I see it.
Well, talk to your custodial parent…see if they can get you this information.
But also talk to UMass. See if you can get a waiver for supplying this information, and what would be required to do so.
Was or is your NCP providing child or spousal support?
Fallenwinter, are your parents legally separated or just not living together? The form seems to make the distinction and in my state, there is also a distinction. People can be living apart and be, for all intents and purposes, separated but still be considered married to each other. People also can have the legal status of “legally separated” or “divorced.”
How did your mom file her taxes? Married filing separately? Head of Household?
@thumper1 He never provided us with any support. He’s not in our lives at all. Hopefully I can get it waived because I don’t want to drag out this process and lose my financial aid.
@rosered55 I don’t think there is any legal document saying they are separated. They are just living apart, but I still don’t see why they would require those documents from him since he doesn’t support us at all.
My mom filed head of household
Lots of NCP…and parents…do not provide support to their families. The colleges don’t care about that. They care about what the person CAN provide in terms of college funding.
and since there is no legal document separating your parents, the college is just doing its due diligence in terms of accessing funds from parents first.
Contact the school. Do this first thing tomorrow. Talk to someone other than the person who answers the phone. Take their name. Ask them to email you any pertinent information. Follow up your phone call with an email confirming the information.
Is he old enough for Social Security?
@Madison85 He is 60 so I don’t think so. But my mom told me that he does not work.
Are you in Texas? I think Texas schools require both parents’ info if they are only separated.
As for work study money…get a job THIS summer, so that you’ll have that money by the time school starts. THEN, your work study money can go towards day to day expenses, spring semester books, etc.
I am in Mass. And thank you for clarifying that, I will get a job this summer. @mom2collegekids
Just an update to anyone wondering, I called the financial aid office and they said I needed proof that I have no contact with the NCP, like someone who could vouch for me (counselor,court,etc).