CSS Profile Waiver for Noncustodial Parent

Paying for College Financial Aid (Need-Based, Merit Aid, Loans)
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Can anyone who has done the waiver let me know their experience? The entire process is honestly super confusing and I am trying to decide whether it is worth doing. A lot of the schools I want to apply to require a CSS profile complete with forms from both parents, and I no longer have contact with my mom. This is what College Board lists as types of waivers that may be accepted:

• No contact or support ever received from your noncustodial parent.
• Legal orders that limit the noncustodial parent’s contact with you.
• Abuse situations involving you and the noncustodial parent.

I suppose I would fit under the third category, but it is honestly a sore subject between my dad and I, and the whole documentation thing is a little off-putting too. Could I get a written statement from a counselor who kind of knows the situation? And how would that work with mandatory reporting in WA? I would hate to start another legal thing on accident. My dad is able to cover my tuition at most places, but it is still a heavy financial burden, and any way I could lessen that would be great. Just looking for advice on how to approach this.

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Does your mom provide any child support? Would mom’s financials change how much need based aid you would receive?

I would talk with your counselor….if there is no contact and no child support take that route rather than the abuse route (as it sounds like the counselor doesn’t know about that.)

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As noted by @Mwfan1921 you should speak to your school counselor. You aren’t the first student who needs this information. Please start there.

Well…first…if your dad is able to cover the costs already, a non-custodial parent waiver won’t give you more aid…if that’s what you are thinking.

Second. You will need to apply for a non-custodial waiver at each college to which you apply. In addition, in the vast majority of cases, you will need to file this annually as relationships with parents/students can change.

Third…there are places where you will be granted a waiver, but that might not be everywhere.

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