I got accepted into Northeastern University early action; I got a merit scholarship but not much need based aid.
My EFC given by NU is 41,000 dollars.
My parents are divorced and I live with and am supported by my mother. She is a legal secretary and only makes about 42 thousand a year.
My father makes more as a company VP (he doesnt say how much) and pays no child support.
Why is the expected family contribution so high?
Your noncustodial parent is expected to contribute to the cost of your education.
You need to see what your mom’s divorce papers say about what your father is expected to contribute.
I did
He is expected to contribute nothing.
Maybe according to the divorce papers but not according to he CSS profile.
Unfortunately even though your father will contribute nothing his income is still considered when applying for financial aid. You will need to look at cheaper schools or schools where you can get more merit.
Doesn’t NEU require the non-custodial parent Profile? If they do, they USE that info when computing your need based aid.
Did your dad fill out the Non Custodial Parent paperwork? If so, then the school knows he makes a lot of money.
If your dad never filled out the NCP paperwork, then the school won’t consider you for any of their aid.
Why hasn’t your dad been paying child support??? If he owes back child support, then go after that money and use it towards college.
@singleandreadytopringle, colleges like Northeastern (CSS Profile schools) don’t care what the divorce papers say. They expect both parents to contribute according to what the college thinks is appropriate based on each parent’s income, assets, etc. If the colleges didn’t, then every family with divorced parents would play the game of saying only one parent (the less wealthy parent) would pay.
You need to talk to your father and explain this to him. See if he is willing to contribute. Otherwise you will have to look at schools that give significant merit or schools that only use the FAFSA and only take the custodial parent’s income into account. Unfortunately most every top tier school uses the CSS Profile and will require him to pay.
What @mom2collegekids said. If he did not pay anything before 18, then go after it. No matter what was agreed, he must pay your support before 18. A judge has to sign off in a “no support” agreement.