(Urgent) Serious mistake by Caltech or ...?

Paying for College
1

<p>Hi, got my financial aid award from Caltech a few days ago, and was surprised, to say the least.</p>

<p>I live in south-eastern europe and my parents (who are divorced) both have miniscule incomes.</p>

<p>The financial aid papers I received determined my family should contribute $0, but that my noncustodial parent (my father) should contribute $20,000 (!!!).</p>

<p>This is absolutely crazy, since he doesn't even earn near $20,000 per year, not to mantion his living expenses. I don't see why they would even think he could pay that much.</p>

<p>The other items I got with the financial aid award didn't say much about the noncustodial contribution, so I'm really confused about their decision.</p>

<p>Do you think they made a mistake? And what should I tell the fin aid office (am about to email them)? Should my father contact them? Please, give me some advice on what to do now, I would really like to go to Caltech...</p>

<p>P.S. neither I nor either of my parents filed a 2005 or 2006 tax thing (we're not requiered to file).</p>

2

<p>If Caltech gives need based financial aid, then they will be looking at the income and the assets of both your parents regardless of their marital status (even your stepparents to the extent which your parents have benefitted from the marriage). So yes, they are taking the income and assets of your non-custodial parent into consideration when calculating your award.</p>

<p>if you think that they have made an error in calculating your award, then contact the FA office and be ready to send them the supporting documentation for them to review.</p>

3

<p>bump... (need more opinnions)</p>