Yeah, UTD is still an option. I’m applying for some local area scholarships and will have a talk to my parents about their contributions as well. Depending on how that goes, it could end up one way or another. I guess we’ll find out
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Do you know your EFC and if your parents can afford it?
I’d be more reassured if you had 1 more affordable choice.
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My parents are divorced, and my dad is telling me to leave his information out of the college applications and financial aid forms, like the FAFSA. So basically only have my mom’s information on there. Is that even possible? or legal? He says that it will make me qualify for more need based scholarships and receive more money as a need basis.
Plus, I put his information in the Common App and sent 2 apps already (UTD & UT Austin).
Nevermind. Just read the FAFSA that I need to put the parent ai live with.
The new FAFSA, I believe, requires the income of the parent providing the most financial support (which may or may not be the parent you live with).
Any schools requiring the CSS profile will require the income of both parents. For example, Rice requires the CSS too.
Schools like Rice, however, will also require the CSS profile, and that will require you to provide your dad’s information.
(ETA: what DramaMama said ^^ )
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Actually, some schools that use the CSS Profile require both parents’ financials, while others do not. The second to last column of https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx indicates whether a CSS Profile using school requires the noncustodial parent information. Verify information on the school web site, since there may be errors or out-of-date information on that list.
Thank you for pointing that out in case the OP is interested in applying to those schools.
So yes, there are some exceptions. Additionally there are situations where a student may qualify for a non-custodial waiver with CSS. However, based on the information provided by the OP, it seems there is a relationship with both parents.
Btw some fathers had the same idea as your dad and went through with it… it resulted in fraud charges with huge fines.
On FAFSA you don’t need to declare your dad’s income/assets unless he contributes the most to your costs, whether in kind or financially (housing, food, education, sports, entertainment, clothes, etc)
For the CSS, however you need to declare your dad’s income/assets/everything.
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My mother is the one that contributes most of my current costs.
Do the schools on my list require CSS? How do I know if my schools use CSS? Would they just be in that link ucbalumnus sent?
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The quick way is to check the CSS Profile list linked above. Verify on college web sites.
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Just a little update. Yeah unfortunately I did not get into CS, however I did get into UTD so that’s always good, with 4k/semester AES as well.
My main concern now is just finding the funds. Apparently, Comet Promise just fills in whatever is left (after AES and Pell Grant according to AES office at UTD) owed for tuition is only, so if I dorm, I need to find funding for that as well.
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Ah, sorry about UT-Austin CS… although I suppose that would have been both hard to turn down and hard to pay for. I hope you can work it out to dorm at UTD, even if it’s just for the first year. Once you get acclimated and make connections on campus, saving money by commuting might not be so bad in subsequent years… or you might find a friend-group to live with, someplace affordable and closer to campus. The residential experience for that first year could really pay off and enhance the quality of your whole four years.
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Yeah, I appreciate your kind words! Do you have any suggestions on where to look in terms of 3rd party scholarships? Those will hopefully help pay for my housing.
Do your parents work for large companies? Often they have programs. Mine gave both my kids money - $2K and $1K.
Look for small scholarships local to you…you can run a google search.
pretty sure any other scholars will reduce your need for the comet promise since it’s need based. you might ask about work study - not sure how that works with comet promise,
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they do not unfortunately. my dad works at a local nail bair and my mom has her own business, she rents a station as a hairstylist
What about scholarships offered by your college or major - is there any you could apply to as an entering freshman?
You could reach out to Honors, too - sometimes that “unlocks” some $ linked to the Honors dorm…
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Congrats on the awards you’ve already received for UTD!
Do you have a part-time job already? If not, I would look into getting one and then increase your hours over the summer (or get a second job). That way you will already be earning money that can help to pay for your dorm, at least for the first year. And employers might be more willing to hire you if they know that you can be there over the summer and potentially into the next school year, too.
@compscy have you been in contact with your guidance counselor? I know…some are better than others.
I would definitely reach out to the counselor, as well as grade level AP. You have great stats, there’s got to be someone at your school-or district admin-who can help/advocate for you.
Outside scholarships can be hard to secure, especially since you’re in an area with MANY graduates. There are some, tho, that are Need based only. Deadlines are quickly approaching, so time isn’t on your side. That’s why you need to reach out for help asap!
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