Hello,
So my parents have been divorced for like 10 years, and I’ve lived with my mom the whole time. Now I technically still have contact with my dad, but not something where they share custody. My mom is poor, we live in basically a shack, and can barely afford to feed ourselves. Now in filling out financial aid for college, I had to put down my dad’s income for the CSS Profile. Even though me and my mom and family are poor, he’s rich. He doesn’t care about us, doesn’t support us. I’ve faced all the disadvantages of being low-income, but to colleges, on paper, I have a rich dad, and I haven’t been getting a lot of aid. I recently came out as transgender so he could sign some papers, and he basically cut off contact at this point. Like he won’t answer calls and stuff.
Now I know the colleges expect the noncustodial parent to pay, and I know they make appeals in certain situations where the noncustodial parent is not in contact with the family. But, I mean, technically my dad “exists”, but he doesn’t support me. He’s never supported me. And now, in a cruel way, he’s still come to haunt me by the simple fact that his money is attached to my name. I don’t know if this is a basis for appeal or not? My dad doesn’t even pay for my food, clothes, or even school NOW, how can they expect 100k dollars from him for college?
Sorry I sound kind of frustrated. I don’t know how I’m gonna pay for all of this.
First of all…your dad wouldNOT have been on YOUR Profile. HE would have complete a non-custodial Parent Profile.
Is that what you did?
If you applied to Profile schools, it’s likely that you applied to some VERY expensive colleges.
Did you apply to ANY Profile colleges that do NOT require the non-custodial parent form? If not…why not?
Did you apply to any public colleges in your state? Does your state have any need based financial aid grants for lower income students?
You can always try for a waiver. It’s really up to the school.
@twoinanddone
From the OP…it sounds like the Profile info was already sent. If that is the case…what basis would,there be for a waiver?
When your parent or your non-custodial parent fills out any financial aid form, it does not obligate them to pay.
Unfortunately, just because your father chooses not to support you or pay for college, it is not a basis for a non-custodial waiver or an appeal of a financial aid package.
If your dad filled out and signed the CSS profile that’s basically proof that he is in contact. Saying “I refuse to pay,” is not going to qualify anyone’s child for college money.
You need to focus on schools that do not include noncustodial parent information when determining financial aid packages.
Your other posts indicate applications to UCB and UCLA. If you are a California resident and get into UCs, they will offer financial aid without needing the non-custodial parent information.
And if you are NOT a CA resident…you won’t receive a nickel of need based aid from UCB or UCLA. Not a cent. These schools give NO need based aid to out of state students.
So…hoping you are an instate CA student who is eligible for the Calgrant.
@chunklighttuna You needed to apply to schools that didn’t need the CSS. Did you have a financial safety?
This student is instate for CA and got accepted to Cal.
So…what happened with the Regents invite?
UCB does NOT use non-custodial parent information when awarding need based aid…it’s a FAFSA only school. If this student IS lower income, they would also qualify for the Calgrant.
In addition, the student can take a $5500 Direct Loan.
I am not sure how the Pell works with the Calgrant, but I’m betting someone else here does.
This is a terrific option…and the dad is totally not on the financial aid application forms.
OP wrote this on Feb 10:
If Pell qualified…student gets Pell and cal grant.
Why hasn’t rich dad been ordered to pay adequate child support for 10 years???
So…this student will get the Pell Grant, the Direct Loan, and the Calgrant.
Would a job…in addition to this…make Cal affordable…since he has already been accepted there…instate student?
Yes, OP, you should be able to make your fees work with the Calgrant, Pell, and Work Study. They also expect you to work summers to contribute your share.
From what I remember, the Calgrant A only covers tuition at the UC’s. If you go to a CSU, the Calgrant/Pell should cover tuition and RB. You may be eligible for additional California scholarships from each of the schools. But things do change.