<p>I am extremely familiar with the situation because my niece was granted a waiver from 2 ivies, 7 schools in the top 30, every single school that offered admission. The parents were never married, had an agreement, but no contact, no abuse involved, and child support was paid since birth. The father makes over 150k. It was not even a case that the tax return can not be provided. When mom was calling the different schools, one of the students answering the phone connected her directly to a fa officer that had similar personal circumstances very compassionately walked her on the details, what to write, what papers needed, what the process is. That fa officer explained that longevity on non-financial support/contact are very important as schools worry that parents try to abuse the system, parents even divorce trying to game the system. Non-marriage is a significant factor when issues like waivers arise. Lots of papers to support the situation, nice written letter by the parent detailing the situation and staying on topic. Appeals are evaluated and granted by a committee, not the individual fa officer. It takes time to collect the papers/evidence but if one does not apply will not have any possibility to obtain the waiver.</p>