Single Parents Seeking Financial Aid - one mother's story

<p>I know this is an old thread but I figure others might find some useful info so I'm bumping it while posting my own question.</p>

<p>I was accepted to Columbia University. I filled out all my financial aid forms and I am still waiting for a financial aid report. Combined, my parents make about 100k but my parents were never married and my father doesn't plan on contributing to my education after 'child support' ends on my 18th birthday. I realize they take into account divorced parents but what about parents who never married one another? If they don't, that would lower my potential contribution accurately and drastically, considering my mom only makes 40% of their combined.</p>