<p>Thanks for the info. but actually I am indeed applying ED since I think I have a better chance of getting accepted. Why would applying ED hinder my chances for financial aid? Or are you implying that by applying ED, regardless of the financial award, my mom is 'stuck' paying it. My college counselor did say that legally, ethically and morally you can opt out of ED if there is no way the amount of $$ you receive is not what you expected. When applying ED, do they use my Mom's 2004 income? My mom did tell me (she said she did the research) that even though my dad said he could not help $$ with college, that is no excuse and that the schools and government believe a lot of people just say this so they can get more $$. Regardless of his willingness to help out or not; my mom will have to include his financial information. I am sure if my dad had to pay $5,000 a year, he could and would but he just won't commit to saying that he will split the tuition 50-50 with my mom without first knowing what it is.</p>
<p>I am a senior at Harvard, and they have waived the noncustodial parent statement for the CSS profile each year. If you don't know the whereabouts of one parents, just put "unknown". Also if you have an unusual situation, like the ones several of you have described, don't be afraid to write an old fashioned letter if the form won't tell the whole story. I received financial aid from several Ivies, top LAC, and state schools...and all of them accepted letters from my mother and my guidance counselor better explaining my family's financial situation.</p>
<p>Thanks EAS but I know the whereabouts of my dad and we have a pretty good relationship. My mom said that her telling the financial aid people that he will not help out with expenses is NOT acceptable. So, she is going to provide the information (if he gives it to her) and if they include his income (which they will) for purposes of determing aid and my mom gets shorted on $$ - then she said she will sell our house if she has to to pay the tuition by herself that the financial aid people believed was going to be paid by both parents. That will be the basis for my essay for graduate school! LOL. No, but really, my mom will do anything for me but if she has to sell the house because they used my dad's income and he ends up not helping out -- then she's going to let them (school) know about it! Again, I am sure there are lots of divorced people who try to buck the system and try not to use the dad's income. That is probably why they make you jump through hoops to prove that your dad is not helping out. But on the other hand, there are many dads who believe the assistance stops at 18 - I think it is not against the kids, more more against the ex-parent, as to put them in a huge financial bind. My mom said that she could not sleep at night if she did that!</p>
<p>Although my dad and I are fairly close, just to give you a good example of his cheapness. I had braces...twice! Total, they cost $8,000. My dad contributed $500 and he balked at that, said he was not responsible for braces because it was not medically necessary - it was elective cosmetic treatment! My Mom paid the remaining amount over a 4 year period.</p>
<p>Dont expect more than what you need to meet your EFC</p>
<p>My college counselor did say that legally, ethically and morally you can opt out of ED if there is no way the amount of $$ you receive is not what you expected</p>
<p>if aid is important don't apply ED
If aid is important don't apply to schools that don't pledge to meet 100% of EFC
If aid is important don't expect even schools who pledge to meet EFC, to meet that with grants alone.
Expect some to also be loans and workstudy
By applying ED you are telling schools that as long as they meet EFC you will be happy with their aid package because you want to go to their school soo bad, you will withdraw all other applications as soon as you hear of an acceptance from them.</p>
<p>My mom and I are prepared to accept whatever we get. I already said that my mom will sell her house; therefore, there is no problem meeting the financial responsibility. And yes, I want to go to my 1st choice really bad, so whatever happens, happens.</p>
<p>you really expect your mother to sell her house to send you to college?
That is really sad.</p>
<p>No, not at all - of course not. That is her decision. I already said that if they use my dad's income as well as my mom's but my mom ends up paying for all of it, then she will have to sell our house. I of course will continue to work part time to help out. My mom is just that kind of person.</p>
<p>No, it's your decision by applying ED to a college that you know that your mom may not be able to afford without enormous financial sacrifices.</p>
<p>Are you combing the woods looking for merit aid? It's great that you're working. What else are you doing to help pay for your future college costs?</p>
<p>I think it is all relative. One family having to pay a total of $2,000 a year may find it just as much as a hardship as someone paying $40,000 a year (depending upon their income). I know of families who make a lot of money $300,000 and up and guess what? They are either in debt up to their eyeballs and won't allow their kids to apply to a more expensive college or they have the money and don't want to throw away $40K a year on their kid's tuition. Those are examples of a "can't" and "won't". My mom can and will - that is what separates her from the rest. </p>
<p>Yes, of course I am looking for scholarship money. I am hopeful all will turn out okay and that I will be able to attend the college of my choice by working myself, obtaining financial aid and obtaining scholarship money. But, my mom has given me a back-up plan just in case. I am so thankful to have options in life.</p>
<p>One final note: When applying ED, you are basically comitting yourself to that college, regardless of the financial aid package. Even if someone has the means (currently) to pay the full monty without any sacrifices; who is to say they will be able to pay it 4 years straight? My point is that even families who make a considerable amount of money and have the savings currently may not be able to pay the full amount down the road. Unless you have a gazillion dollars in the bank; it is difficult to say you will absolutely be able to pay the tuition for 4 straight years. A dad bringing home $20,000 a month suddenly dies or loses his job (yes, it happens) and has a $5,000 monthly mortgage, 2 car payments, etc. suddenly will find that he can no longer pay his son's $40,000 a year tuition because now the family is living off their savings. My point is the future is unknown for a lot of people and no one knows exactly what their financial situation will be 2 years down the road. You cannot tell me that all these people on these boards applying ED to schools costing $42K a year are absolutely positive that there will be no changes to their parents' financial situation in the next 4 years? I can't believe that all the kids applying ED to Ivy Schools come from multi-million dollar families. A percentage of them, yes of course but certainly not the majority of them.</p>
<p>I'm curious, worldshopper: Where will you and your mom live if she sells the house to pay for college? </p>
<p>ED financial aid estimates are based on 2004 hard figures and 2005 estimates. A final offer is made in early 2005 after taxes are in.</p>
<p>It does not sound as if you will be granted any waivers regarding your dad's information.</p>
<p>My daughter has identified several other schools where she feels she would be well-educated and happy, has a reasonable chance of acceptance EA or RD, and that offer merit aid and/or do not require her father's information. It is worth exploring all your options before you commit to ED and I think children owe that effort to their parents.</p>
<p>amatricia: That's a good question, glad you asked. We would probably live with close relatives.</p>
<p>I have a question that I have been wondering about for a long time. Say, if your father is not present but it is required that you put his income, what am I suppose to put. He is not present in my life so how can I let others know that this section is impossible for me to fill out. </p>
<p>I am wondering this because I filled out an application and it said that it was required so I just ignored the question.</p>
<p>Answer the question truthfully. Fill in whatever information you do know about him and write unknown for the information that you don't or your can ask your mom to help you fill in the blanks</p>
<p>I'm also a single (divorced) mom with differing situations per child. My first child (birth child) is entering college in 07 and her dad has said he will continue to contribute an amount equal to his child support (About $4K per yr) He has said he will pay it directly to D monthly--too much for her living expenses, but in a lump or early payment would greatly help with books and R&B, so I need to approach him on that. Several private college applications ask what the non-custodial parent is willing to pay and/or what the custodial parent(s) feel he/she/they can afford or intend to contribute. I know that I can afford and intended to supply about $8000 but my EFC appears to indicate nearly double that. Dad may play an important part in that for D1--but if his income is considered in addition to mine, then I gain no ground. Do colleges really accept the responses from these two questions, or do they even actually consider them in their determinations?
My second D was adopted overseas following my divorce and so has no other (known) parent. I will have to put 'unknown' or 'N/A' in the non-custodial/father sections. Should I also include this explanation in the comments someplace? My ex certainly isn't about to pay on D2's education, and I don't want my yrgr daughter to be thwarted in her desire to attend a school similar in cost to D1 due to lack of a non-custodial parent.</p>
<p>Bookmom, I don't know about your other questions, but if your ex husband did not adopt daughter #2, then he has no responsibility for her.</p>
<p>EFC's are always double or triple what people can afford in a single year, so it is not expected that it come out of CURRENT INCOME, but from savings and especially borrowing as well.</p>
<p>nedad--There is absolutely no question my ex is not responsible for my adopted dtr; he is barely even civil to her--my question is should I explain on 2nd D's apps that there is no legal father. Rather different from having a deadbeat one. Also, on first (bio) dtr's apps is there any point in explaining that her sibling, who will attend college 2 yrs after her, does not have/share 1st dtr's parent? In effect, D1 will have 2 parents paying while D2 will have only 1 (ie, me). But neither set of FA reviewers for 1st or 2nd Ds will know this difference if I don't inform them.</p>
<p>Yes, you explain on D2's app that she has no legal father. I'm sure the adcoms have seen this before from overseas adoptions.</p>
<p>When you first apply for D1, you don't have to say anything about D2 - they only care about siblings in college. When D2 is in college, and you are filling out the forms again for D1's last two years, you would say that there is one other family member in college. They don't need to know about any other details. This country is full of students with one, two, no parents, grandparents paying, etc. etc. etc. All that matters to the school is to see the financial data of the people who ARE responsible. </p>
<p>D2's situation has no affect on D1. You could tell D1's school that D2 has no father for sympathy's sake, but I highly doubt it will make a difference (I have over 20 years experience dealing with adcoms, though I am not one).</p>
<p>My ex-wife and I have been divorced a dozen years and I have been very involved in my daughter's life. I've dutifully paid child support to my ex and when my daughter turns 18 in the spring, that monthly amount will contribute to paying for her college costs next year. My D splits time at each of our homes and we live a half mile apart.</p>
<p>The fine UC schools here in California don't appear to request the non-custodial parent's financial information. They only consider the household income of the custodial parent and spouse (if remarried) to determine EFC.</p>
<p>Because I make a relatively high salary and her mom makes a more modest income, my D is applying to schools that don't request financial info from the non-custodial parent. It is simply the best way to use our financial resources. There seem to be many good private schools that don't require the CSS Profile.</p>
<p>I have saved and budgeted $50k for her undergrad education and her mom can contribute another $20k. My D will work during the summers and she should be able to get her BA with no debt. Then she can invest in her grad school degree and pay for that with loans as needed. </p>
<p>This is a lot of money for working families and since her mom and I didn't go to college, it is a mandate for my D to be successful in college. I will be saving and sacrificing to make this happen, but it is the most important thing I can do as a parent.</p>