Yes Cornell has deeper pockets so I wouldn’t expect the same offer but there is something that seems wrong. MCH does say it meets demonstrate need for all students.
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Enter the amount your parents think they will be able to pay for your college expenses."
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Wow…people ask if that question makes a difference in aid…I guess at some schools, it does.
Can you ask your ex what he put there? I wonder if your ex got confused and put the TOTAL that you and he can pay for TWO kids each year (such as you can pay $40k total per year …$20k each). Or, he put the amount that you and he can pay for DD per year…instead of putting what he alone can pay each year for DD.
Turns out he put $25,000. He doesn’t have the money (not much in his retirement account either) or the credit so he can’t pay $25,000 toward her education for one year. Perhaps $25,000 for both of them as he no longer has to pay child support but I doubt that. It is probably closer to $12,000-$15,000 for the two. So the $25,000 along with the $5,000 I stated covered half the CoA and then she got a $15,000 merit scholarship from MoHo. It seems that some schools seriously consider the amount you state as the amount you will be paying toward the CoA for that year regardless of your actual financial capability. In all fairness to MoHo they have every right to take him at his word. Good lesson for all. Answer that question thoughtfully.
BTW Eckerd financial aid package covers all but $6400 for the year (thankfully, they don’t use the profile). New College will close to that amount because of in-state tuition and her Bright Futures scholarship. Chances are good she is staying in Florida. She is very disappointed but she understands.
Well that is a lesson, thanks for sharing. Wonder what was his reasoning for putting that. Hope he can ‘take it back’.
My thoughts on why he put $25,000: his pride and he doesn’t like to admit he can’t afford what his friends can even on a form that no one else is going to see. Not rational but part of the reason he is the ex. I guess this is a lesson for the divorced parents out there. Make sure the amounts that each of you put adds up an amount you both actually intend to pay.
Can’t you appeal, you said your employment situation is insecure and you only made $26,000 last year? And ex doesn’t have assets. If they meet need then what would the number be that they expect you to pay?
Ex started the appeal process this morning. Not sure how long this will take.
Good luck on the appeal - with better info hopefully MH will have this work out for DD.
At Eckerd she’d also get to use Bright Futures and would receive a $3000 FRAG grant from the state. This might have already been included in the FA package, but if not, she’d be almost fully covered. For some (unknown) reason, my daughter’s school kept leaving the BF amount off the awards letter but including the FRAG. Every little bit helps.
Is he remarried and does his possible wife work?
TempeMom: Neither of us have remarried.
twoinanddone: Bright Futures Scholarship has not been applied and she is eligible for the top award. She won’t need any loans for sure. I don’t think Mount Holyoke makes sense at this point.
MHC meets 100% financial need, as do many elite schools. Its not MHC, its your ex.
@Poetkiosk, though even meet-full-need schools may vary quite a bit in generosity.
So your ex has contacted MHC and told them that he put the wrong number in? Did he tell you what “corrected number” has he now told them?
I know that some here are scratching their heads wondering why someone’s ego would cause them to put down an amount that is unaffordable on a form that his friends would never see, but I know that there are some personality types that will do such irrational things. As you say, that’s one reason why he’s an ex. 
word to wise out there…some schools will look at that “how much can you contribute” question.
As far as I’m concerned, the only correct answer to that question is zero. The school will ignore it and determine your ability to pay based on income & assets. But if you put a number in there that’s higher than the school’s calculation, of course they’ll defer to your estimate. For all they know, there’s a crazy uncle out there somewhere who’s prepared to foot the entire bill . . . so why shouldn’t they take you at your word?
Once MH addresses, then student and mom can see if that is possible financially. The difference between that and FL with all the extras (and no student loan needed) may make staying in FL an easier decision. Good luck. Hugs.
I swear my ex was only married once and that was to me . Sounds like we have the same ex. He put down that one of my daughters has 260000 in the bank . No that was 2600
Head explodes.
Have I ever told you about my oldest son - the one with multiple undergrad and grad engineering degrees, who does consulting all over the world? When he applied to Boston College (at the time, the most expensive college in the country), he told them that we had no money at the moment, but he was expecting a HUGE inheritance! 
And, yes, that was true, but it certainly hadn’t come through yet. I tried to do damage control, but can’t recall if I was successful. He went to school somewhere else.