@twoinanddone Yes, if there is no contact BUT there have been support payments, then that would be viewed differently than this case of no support, no contact ever, etc.
I can understand your point that the dad may be suddenly wealthy or something, but if there truly has never been any contact (the student has never seen or spoken to him) or support, then it would seem that a school would grant the waiver unless they have a policy of never granting waivers.