<p>Regarding the possibility of a waiver for the non-custodial parent - there’s a difference between (1) a parent removing himself from the picture and refusing to cooperate and (2) the custodial parent saying, “Don’t worry about it. You don’t have to pay anything.” The CP’s agreement that the NCP not contribute has no legal weight whatsoever - the right to child support is the child’s, not the parent’s. I suspect colleges would view it the same way - it’s the college’s financial aid fund that’s on the line and just because CP thinks NCP shouldn’t have to pay doesn’t mean the college would agree.</p>
<p>About asking a court to “compel” the NCP to submit paperwork - whether or not that could be done depends on whether or not there’s a binding agreement requiring the NCP to participate in college funding. In some states, a divorced parent can be bound (under the terms of the divorce) to contribute, and that obligation would be legally enforceable. In other states, the NCP’s obligation ends when the child graduates from high school and agreements regarding college are unenforceable.</p>