CSS Profile - Stepmom vs. bio mom?

Bozusaki
Tue, 01 Nov 2016 05:57:51 +0000

Hi, all. I’m currently scrambling to fill out my CSS profile and I need clarification on a couple of things. I’ve looked at many (sometimes conflicting) sources on this issue and I can’t wrap my head around it.

My biological mom abandoned me when I was less than a month old. My father and I have had absolutely 0 contact with her since then. She hasn’t even paid child support. We have tried to contact her in the last month, and we can’t even find where she lives now. For all intents and purposes, she is not a part of my life in any way.

My dad has been married to my stepmom for the last eight or so years, and they have been separated for the last few months. My stepmom has told me in no uncertain terms that she won’t be providing for my college education, and that she wants very little to do with the remainder of my life. Despite this, I consider her to be my mother, and she is Parent 2 on my Common App. (Additional Information clarifies that she is not bio mom)

Here lies my issue. My stepmom refuses to cooperate with my dad on pulling the information together required to fill out the CSS profile. Since she makes a lot less than my dad, this is more inconvenient than anything else. It’s not like she’s going to inflate the income all that much. Which of the following courses of action would be best for me to take?

1. Dad guesstimates stepmom's numbers and they "jointly" fill out CSS, request non-custodial waiver for bio mom

2. Dad fills out CSS independently, stepmom fills out non-custodial profile, non-factor bio mom addressed in clarification (what I'm currently leaning toward)

3. Dad fills out CSS independently, stepmom fills out non-custodial, bio mom not even mentioned (would be easiest since we wouldn't have to try to find my dad's attorney from all the way back in 1999 and also don't have to worry about missing a deadline because of a school's waiver processing time, but my dad is very concerned that I could get in trouble/become ineligible for aid if it is learned that this was omitted)

I’d really appreciate the help. This CSS situation has been a nightmare and it’s reached the point where I’m terrified that a mistake like forgetting about my biological mom (whose last name we don’t even know anymore) could potentially keep me from attending a private university. My dad can’t afford to pay for my education without institution need-based aid and it would kill him if his unfortunate and confusing personal life kept me from going to my dream school.