<p>I wouldnt be surprised if the school confused mother and stepmother. I would call and ask school for clarification, in writing in possible. I suggest OP take a gap year and sue her dad for support.</p>
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<p>Sue her dad? On what grounds?</p>
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<p>??? Parents don’t owe their adult children a college education (or even a roof over their heads). The only way there would be grounds for suit that I can think of would be if he was obligated by a divorce decree to pay for OP’s college, and then I think it would be OP’s mother bringing suit to enforce that.</p>
<p>^^Actually, the OP can sue both parents, not just her dad if they refuse to pay for tuition because the child, OP, is a resident of WA and according to that state’s child support guidelines, they can be ordered to pay. Even though WA is not a post-secondary education mandated payment state, it does have statute advisory guidelines for the judge which means that if parents have a BA, if they also have grad degrees ad from equivalent school like Wellesley, or can afford to send her there, then there is a good possibility that the judge will order the parents to contribute.</p>
<p>"(2) When considering whether to order support for postsecondary educational expenses, the court shall determine whether the child is in fact dependent and is relying upon the parents for the reasonable necessities of life. The court shall exercise its discretion when determining whether and for how long to award postsecondary educational support based upon consideration of factors that include but are not limited to the following: Age of the child; the child’s needs; the expectations of the parties for their children when the parents were together; the child’s prospects, desires, aptitudes, abilities or disabilities; the nature of the postsecondary education sought; and the parents’ level of education, standard of living, and current and future resources. Also to be considered are the amount and type of support that the child would have been afforded if the parents had stayed together."</p>
<p>In the state of Washington, like some others (not most, but including NY, Mass), children of divorced parents can look to the court. </p>
<p>For a kid who got into Wellesley, and got substantial aid, I would hope the court would help.</p>
<p>^^^^which RCW would that be? I am looking through my washington state legal code book & I don’t see a thing that is relevant.</p>
<p>^ [RCW</a> 26.19.090: Standards for postsecondary educational support awards.](<a href=“http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=26.19.090]RCW”>RCW 26.19.090: Standards for postsecondary educational support awards.)</p>
<p>??</p>
<p>ETA: I also don’t see how the student can change the terms of the child support. It seems as though the parents need to do it…?</p>
<p>Going to court would take so long it’ll be too late for the OP to go to Wellesley this year. Either way, another alternative needs to be found.</p>
<p>Teach, I suggested she take a gap year. And my experience has been once a parent realizes he/she may be on the hook, the dynamics change.</p>
<p>In taking a gap year, she should ask school if she can defer a year. In any event, she must not take ANY classes anywhere and preserve her freshman status. With stats to get into Wellesley, she should have options.</p>
<p>Roman, she may need her mom to help, or she may request the court appoint a GAL.</p>
<p>While I do think parents should help pay for school, it’s really not a viable option for the OP to sue her dad. I doubt an atty would take the case. The dad doesn’t have a lot of money. He’s changing to working part-time. He could separate from the step-mom so that her income wouldn’t be included. </p>
<p>The OPs parents were never married to each other. There may not have ever been a formal child support order. The OP has said that her dad was rarely in her life until her senior year of high school.</p>
<p>I think the student should either take a gap year and apply where she’d get huge merit or go to Wash State and make that work with the merit awards that she’s been given.</p>
<p>That the parents were never married is irrelevant. It is not too late for OP. She can take a gap year, apply to Wash state AND pursue her legal rights. OP should contact local law school and see if they have a clinic for helping people with domestic issues.</p>
<p>Kay…the dad would just do an end run and reduce his income to an amount that no judge would determine that he should contribute anything. </p>
<p>Going to court will not get this girl what she wants. And what about her mom? I doubt she’d want to sue her mom when her mom is supporting her little siblings.</p>
<p>Perhaps this is true in WA state. Why not sue her mom while she is at it for not marrying and not getting a legal
document requiring the bio dad to pay tuition. I’m not sure why ONLY the dad would be sued since Wellesley made it clear that the moms info impacted their decision too. Oh… Don’t forget to sue the step mom too.</p>
<p>Would a judge necessarily say the parents had to pay for a school as pricey as Wellesley, even with aid, or be more likely to say they had to cover the same amount as an in-state public she could commute to? That amount still wouldn’t cover the $16,000 she would need for Wellesley. Look, lots of kids have dream schools that for whatever reasons, parents have to say “No” to. Using the courts is just cruel in my opinion. We don’t have the parents side of the story. We don’t know if it’s killing them that they can’t just say “Sure honey, we’ve got thousands just sitting around for you. Go anywhere you want…all the way across country if you’d like.” Kids everywhere would be suing to go to their dream school. Mine included.</p>
<p>It does not matter whether parents were married or not. Nor does it matter whether there is an agreement on the amount of child support if the agreed upon amount/benefits do not comply with the minimum amount in the state’s child support guidelines. Each state, due to federal guidelines, is required to have specific % that has to be paid by the ncp to the cp based on biological (married or unmarried, whether the ncp is interested or not in visitations, are all unrelated to the child support) parents income. Once the child becomes 18yrs old is entitled to petition the court to get the benefits that the cp may have refused to pursue. GAL is only for minors or adults with disabilities. Family probate court takes a few months, not years, and the award is retroactive to the day the motion was filled with the court, not the actual court date. If a party tries to delay the process, the judge awards a temporary amount until the final amount is determined. The problem is always whether the parent has the money/assets to be collected. If the parent, ncp or cp refuses to get a job equivalent to their education, prior work, the judge will still impose the same amount as if they were working and earning that amount. And yes, the court can order parents who are divorced/separated/never married to pay tuition, as long the legislature has passed a statute, because the court acts on behalf of the child to protect his/her rights so that the child can enjoy equal lifestyle as if he/she would have if the family unit was intact. The amount the judge can order depends on parents education and income. Ie, if they went to an ivy and have the assets, then they can be required to pay for that level of school.</p>
<p>Barista’s problem is that her parents do not want to contribute. May be if she asks them $5k from each one to pay and get a $5k Stafford herself. The cost for Wellesley is $55k + health insurance. She can play around with travel expenses/personal/books. She does not have to fly and can always take Greyhound because Logan tickets are very expensive on holidays as all college students leave the same time.Bus advance ticket is a good price and she will be able to get more luggage for free with her than flying. She can also work in the sumer to earn money towards the personal expenses/books in the winter.</p>
<p>Ana – yes, Barista’s parents dont want to pay. However, no one knows what they would compromise with if ordered to pay.</p>
<p>Teach, what a court would order would depend on facts and circumstances. Keep in mind judges do not earn mega bucks and generally value education.</p>
<p>I will be attending Wellesley no matter whether or not my financial aid changes. Wellesley will be about $80,000 for four years vs. WSU which is $55,000 for four years. The $25,000 is worth the difference in experience and education. I think I can make it by taking out federal loans and working during the summer and school year.</p>
<p>Don’t sue your father. Go to Wellesley, live your life. Limit the drama.
[Mad</a> World - Gary Jules - YouTube](<a href=“Mad World - Gary Jules - YouTube”>Mad World - Gary Jules - YouTube)</p>
<p>Starbucks, who is cosigning those loans for you???</p>
<p>Or do you think you’re going to make $15k a year?</p>
<p>Direct loans are only $5.5k your fresh year.</p>