<p>My parents are divorced, and it is very clear that my Dad (non custodial) does not want to contribute to any of the college expenses (He has never really incurred any expense for me and my twin).
He literally told me, that "he is losing tax benefits next year, so he has to focus on those first, try and get fees waived." Me and my brother are turning 18, and we do not live with him- so he can not claim either of us on his taxes. If he does not want to help out with application fees, clearly he will not want to help out with any EFC.</p>
<p>However, FAFSA, CSS etc. look at the non-custodial information. Is there a way that his information will not be considered- as he is unwilling to help out?</p>
<p>CSS most often looks at non-custodial financials, but the FAFSA does not.</p>
<p>For those who do want the non-custodial information, the parent simply saying “I don’t want to” won’t fly in most cases. In more extreme cases there is a process that can get you out of the requirement.</p>
<p>Your best course of action is to make sure you include schools in your mix that are non-CSS and do not want the non-custodial information.</p>
<p>So, basically, my fathers non willingness to help out with college will hurt me in the end.</p>
<p>Even If he had a letter signed by him, his lawyer and notarized, they will still look at his income? How much consideration do they put into noncustodial income?</p>
<p>Different schools consider non-custodial income in different ways. FAFSA only schools do NOT use the non-custodial parent info AT ALL…it is not included on the FAFSA form. You should have some of those schools on your list. There are also SOME Profile schools which do not require the non-custodial parent Profile form. You would need to check with each college to find out if this info is included.</p>
<p>The reality is that you HAVE contact with your dad. A notarized and signed letter from anyone isn’t going to convince a college that his income should not be included if they require non-custodial parent info. Think of it this way…ANYONE can get a letter that says their parent isn’t WILLING to pay for college costs. The colleges don’t care about willingness…they care about whether your finances put you in a position where you CAN pay.</p>
<p>Just for the record…there are married parents who won’t pay for college educations for their college bound kids…it’s not just divorced parents.</p>
<p>So…have some FAFSA only schools on your list.</p>
<p>I was talking with my mom, and she thinks we should try and submit petitions to have the non-custodial waived, for other various reasons than stated above. If the petitions are submitted and then denied, is that going otherwise effect financial aid? (Aside from the fact the schools will be looking at more income)</p>
<p>If the petitions are denied and no non-custodial forms are submitted, then you probably won’t get any institutional funds. In other words, it will have a very detrimental impact on your financial aid.</p>
<p>Make sure you have some FAFSA only schools in the mix.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that you are highly unlikely to get a waiver if you are in contact with your dad. Those who can get a waiver from the schools that give them are those who can prove they have had no contact with the parent. They have received no child support from the parent for years and don’t know how to find them.</p>
<p>As Thumper says, if they made it easy every parent would refuse to help and many do anyway.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks you all for the insight . I dont think I will fill the petitions out, just fill everything that the schools ask for and hope for the best.</p>