<p>I have my sights set on top ranking private universities, though I've realized that since they all use the CSS, both of my parents who were never married will likely be expected to contribute to my college tuition.</p>
<p>However, my mother (whom I've lived with my entire life) has an annual income of $11,000 while my father (whom I visit monthly to collect child support) surely makes much more than that (not only from income--he's a dentist--but also assets, etc.)</p>
<p>Because of my mother's low income, her expected contribution is probably $0, leaving the full load of the "family" EFC on my father. And I KNOW it will take even more hair pulling than it did for my mom to convince him to pay child support</p>
<p>I suspect that I'm essentially screwed for financial aid because of my circumstances.</p>
<p>Question: What do I do? Should I just give up on dreaming of harvard or stafnord and focus on UC schools?</p>
<p>Also, even if the UC schools only use the financial info obtained from the FAFSA, do they ask for supplemental documents once you sign the SIR? I'm eligible for the Blue and Gold Opportunity program, though if the UCs insist on acquiring my father's tax forms, etc.........</p>
<p>Are you going to have a discussion with your father as to what he is willing to contribute to your education costs? You need a lump sum or a per year commitment. You can ask him to run the Net Price calculator for a couple of colleges and see what his contribution would have to be for you to afford it, just leave out your mom’s income or just add the because it is so low. Then you and he will know what the college will expect. The colleges don’t pick up the slack when a student’s parent is able but unwilling to pay. Those colleges you mention give aid to even fairly high income students, but his contribution may still be quite high. It is often more than most people can afford.</p>
<p>UC is FAFSA only, remember that child support will be included on the form. You mom never had to convince your Dad to pay child support. It is pretty formulaic based on his income and some of your expenses perhaps, you just go to the court and get an order. I did that, and the father had to pay support plus my attorney fees. Being not married has nothing to do with it.</p>