<p>Hello everyone, I got accepted into Brown and I’m very excited but I’m also very distressed. My dad is very hard to deal with because he disappears weeks at a time, drinks heavily and doesn’t do his taxes. I would LOVE to waive him off but he’s in-state and we have contact, very weak contact but contact.</p>
<p>My CSS profile went somewhat smoothly, I filled out my mother’s information and I was able to complete that on December 2nd. However, I forgot about the NCP profile and when I got my ED admissions decision on December 12th I wasn’t able to get a package (which is THE determining factor at this point whether I go or not). So I filled out the NCP and since my dad is still legally married but separated from my stepmother, I had to put in her taxes. With my dad, I just put zero’s since he has no reportable income (which is what my counselor advised me to do). The financial aid office contacted me and told me to fill out the Family Monthly Budget Worksheet for my dad, and this is where the current dilemma comes in. </p>
<p>After talking with him he DOES have some income but it’s under the table jobs. He spends literally half of it on beer and cigarrettes then the rest on dining out, gas and dance classes for my half sister. He doesn’t have a permanant residence, he just bums off of my grandmother, my aunt and my stepmother. What do I do with the Family Monthly Budget Worksheet? Should I put in this information and try to explain it as best as I can or should I again report zero since it’s under the table money? If I report the income now will I be counted as lying since I didn’t report it on the NCP?</p>
<p>It’s been very stressful for me and honestly I find my father completely unnecessary in financial aid. He hasn’t paid child-support in five years and he has no idea about anything that I’m doing. The only way that I was able to get his income and expenses info was by interrogating him at my grandmother’s christmas party.</p>
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<p>You have to put this down as income, and if he makes enough that he has to file US federal income taxes, he should be filing taxes.</p>
<p>So if I explain the discrepancy between the NCP numbers and the Family Monthly Budget Worksheet numbers, will they understand? Or will they say that I lied and refuse me aid?</p>
<p>Your dad (not you) is supposed to fill out the NCP form.</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids</p>
<p>I understand this but that would be impossible. Everyone doesn’t have the luxury of having a parent who’s consistent and responsible. I would definitely get zero aid if I left it to him. My mom is a (now legal) immigrant who can’t help me either (besides giving me her tax returns)</p>
<p>I would put down what you know, then attach a statement containing the information you included here. If you don’t know the amount he earns, you should say that. For example, state that he occassionally earns a minimal amount which he uses for his own food, that he usually stays with relatives, not with is estranged wife. Explain that your counselor advised you to put in zero for his income because at the time, that was the best information you have.</p>
<p>If Brown can’t see that you are answering to the best of your ability, then maybe it is not the best school for you. I think they will understand and they are just having you fill out the extra forms because they have to document that they complied with the regulations and treated all students the same.</p>
<p>There are always circumstances that don’t fit the forms or boxes. My daughter has no father as she was adopted by a single mother. There is no box to check. It asks if parents were never married (true) but living apart (also true) but doesn’t explain that there just is NO second parent.</p>
<p>I agree with twoinanddone and would advise you to make sure and include that your mom has not received child support for five years. </p>
<p>Since he and your stepmom are separated, are you sure you had to include her information?</p>
<p>They’re separated but still legally married. I emailed the financial aid office and they told me that I had to. </p>
<p>I have all the information. My only problem is the difference between the two numbers. The NCP will say that my dad has no income and the Family Monthly Budget will say that he does. I’m just hoping that they won’t think I tried to cover anything up, it was just a misunderstanding.</p>
<p>Tell them the truth. I don’t know you and I’m not looking at recommendations from your professors saying you’re a wonderful person and, you know what, I believed you. When you write that your father drinks, disappears for weeks at a time, lives on the couch of his mother or other susceptible relatives, hasn’t paid child support for over five years and gets paid under the table-- and that you are trying to find out information and do this on your own, it paints a clear picture.</p>
<p>I think Brown will understand that YOU didn’t try to cover anything up.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth I completely get your situation. It’s tough and my own D may be in it next year though I am doing everything I can to ensure that her NCP knows what is at stake for her. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you, and congratulations on your Brown acceptance!</p>
<p>Thank you to everyone for the great help! I’m going to talk with my guidance counselor and then see his input then most likely send in the new information and try to explain it.</p>