I have looked into getting my noncustodial parent’s financial information waived, and I have found out that the CSS petition and similar petitions specific to universities require a third party letter confirming the nature of the relationship with the noncustodial parent. This post is not to ask whether I qualify to get my noncustodial parent waived, as I have done research and I know that my situation might not qualify me for a waiver. For the past 5 years (maybe more?) my NCP does support our family financially after he was taken to court for missing child support payments - child support is now garnished from his income. I DO have back up plans if this waiver is to get rejected.
That being said, I am definitely still going to TRY to get my NCP waived. I have multiple teachers and counselors from multiple schools (moved around often) that can vouch for the fact that I do not have contact with my NCP. Also, my NCP hasn’t been on any of my school documents since I was in elementary (when he left our family). Again, I am not implying that I think this alone guarantees me a waiver.
My question is, what exactly do financial aid offices want from these letters? Does anyone have tips on gathering successful third-party letters to support my petition to get my NCP’s information waived? For example, any key information that I should provide to my third-parties?
I have never been deeply involved with community organizations, such as churches and similar communities. And, because I moved around a lot, I don’t have any long-term family doctors that can really vouch for me. Will my case be weakened since I only have school officials writing letters?
A guidance counselor is fine, and is likely to already know what should go in the letter. It should be long on facts- parent left the household on X date, parents were divorced on Y date (if they are divorced), student has been living with Parent A exclusively for Z years. Parent B has not been involved in Students schooling for many years, is not on any official documentation in the school system, is not the emergency contact for school.
Good luck!
Because child support is considered contact and must be reported on the financial aid documents, it is unlikely that you are going to get a waiver. I am also willing to bet $ that you/your mom know where he is located, how to reach him or members of his family. Just because you dont visit him, he does not visit you does not constitute a waiver. there are students who live with their parents, and are not involved with them.
It is a little more detailed than dad abandonded family and we dont see each other. Some schools will request what out reach have you done to other family members regarding trying to locate him as schools will explain that filling out the forms does not obligate him to pay.
Counselors, Social workers, administrators know what goes into a third party letter because they have written a lot of them. My school , we do not write letters unless we meet and interview both the custodial parent and the student. I have had schools ask students for copies of the divorce decree. As a mandated reporter, I have had schools ask us for ant documentation of involvement of ACS, orders of protection and non contact information is automatically placed in the school system.
Thank you @sybbie719 for the information! As I said, I was just looking as to what goes into a successful third-party letter. My guidance counselor responded and, like you said, she told me that she has written some before and knows what goes into them. She knows my family situation very well. The teachers (not guidance counselors) from my other schools might not be as informed about the process but @blossom you’re comment was extremely helpful! Thanks everyone!