Having discussed this with several schools already, there is no question the uncooperative non-custodial parent is far more likely than the uncooperative custodial parent. Kids with uncooperative married parents can seek to be declared emancipated if they are truly getting no support from parents. Schools also have waivers in place, for the NCP who is truly out of the picture (some kids have no contact and no financial support from the NCP). The difficulty is for the kids where the NCP is still in the picture (pays child support, has some visitation) but just isn’t willing to pay for college. Perhaps because of resentment at the CP, perhaps because they think child support should cover their contribution. Part of the reason is that the CP values the ongoing relationship with the child, whereas the NCP may not have that relationship. In addition, if the child isn’t able to get a college education and become self-supporting, guess whose basement they will be occupying? Not the NCP’s. So the CP has some self-interest in seeing the kid achieve success, whereas the NCP’s support will end regardless of the kid’s outcome. Regardless of the right and wrong or fairness of it, it is the situation colleges are seeing quite often and trying to come up with a fair way to deal with it.