<p>I’m applying to some of the most expensive schools in the country and I’m pretty sure my parents hate me for it. My parents are divorced and both remarried, my mom is a stay at home so no income there and my dad is starting his own business and doesn’t really have an income. Only my stepparents have jobs. Is that too crazy?</p>
<p>Not really understanding the question. Is what too crazy?
Actually your Mom is remarried so there is income. For FAFSA only schools you will have to provide the financial information (income and assets) of your custodial parent (Mom?) and her spouse (so your Stepdad). There is not an option to not include the step parent income even if he does not plan to contribute.</p>
<p>For schools that require CSS/profile (which includes most, if not all, of the most expensive school) you will have to provide income and asset information of both your parents their respective spouses.</p>
<p>Stepparents are treated the same as parents for financial aid.</p>
<p>Thanks! I’m just so confused my parents haven’t talked about it at all. And my school doesn’t really help with that type of thing</p>
<p>Please remember that for the FAFSA, your custodial parent (the one you live with) AND spouse’s income and assets MUST be reported. AND for the Profile…EVERYONE’s income and assets must be reported (custodial parent and spouse on the Profile and Non-custodial parent and spouse on the non-custodial parent form). </p>
<p>I don’t know which “very expensive schools” you are applying to, but many of them give need based aid only. If your working step parents have significant income and assets, that will play into your financial aid prospects.</p>
<p>Have you discussed college finances with your parents? If not…do so ASAP. You need to know how much they are willing to contribute to your college education each year. AND in addition, you need to have a financial safety school on your list. This is a school that you would like to attend but is also within the cost parameters set by your family.</p>
<p>I hope your stepparents (who have the incomes) are willing to use part of that money to help fund your education. OR that your parents are willing to get jobs.</p>
<p>based on other posts by the OP, Bard, Wesleyan and Vassar are their ‘top choices’</p>
<p>these schools use Profile, thus you will be required to report income and assets of 4 people. 2 parents and 2 step parents.</p>
<p>when a school says they meet full need, THEY will determine your need</p>
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<p>High schools guidance offices are in the business of helping students get ACCEPTED to colleges. They do not do financial aid counseling. The reality is that financial aid policies vary too much from school to school AND the GC really doesn’t have any business knowing each student’s family finances. </p>
<p>Many schools do have a financial aid night when information is shared with families regarding navigating the college financial situation. Beyond that…they don’t help. You’re not alone.</p>
<p>Yes you do need to get your parents/parents to tell you how much they are willing to pay toward school.</p>
<p>Make sure you also apply to a couple of safeties (for both admissions and financial). If you have the Stats to think you may get into the really expensive schools you may qualify for some good merit aid at less selective schools. You should try and find a school or 2 that you would be able to afford without much need based aid.</p>
<p>But first you need to have that conversation with your parents and find out what they and their spouses might be expected to pay (which is what need based aid is based on) and what they are actually willing to pay (which may be a totally different figure).</p>
<p>The EFC calculator at [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml]FinAid”>http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml)</p>
<p>will give you a rough idea of what the expected family contribution might be. Used federal methodology for FAFSA EFC and enter custodial parent and spouse plus any income and and assets you have. Use institutional methodology for schools that require CSS/profile.</p>