<p>Thank you, CelesteRoberts, I will check out Denison and have D take a look at it as well.</p>
<p>My D13 applied to a few reaches that were also financial reaches.They all offered a few high profile scholarships she didn’t win. But after mulling things over during the long process, she came to the conclusion that if she chose a near full ride, that she would be happier because of being more independent. We wouldn’t be so likely to boss her and control her as if we were paying $50K/yr. She found a place with big $$ merit that she loved, which helped the decision. Then H panicked at the thought of her attending a not-top-tier school and cracked, agreed to part with his money and started begging her to accept an offer from places like Vandy and Michigan. But she refused. The whole process was so stressful for me, but also amusing in some ways. Especially in retrospect. Not sure how I survived being in the middle of all that. And not eager to press -repeat-</p>
<p>This going to be TMI but I could actually use some advice at some point on this so…</p>
<p>A lot of what makes developing D’s college list difficult is the fact that I am divorcing her dad after a several-years-long separation. He has never consistently paid child support, and I am not sure he files taxes at all since we split. So, if she gets into a top tier school that meets full need, he will have to do his part in filling out the NCP form and I am not at all confident that he can or will do so. </p>
<p>If he does, she will get good need-based aid. If not, she’ll get close to nothing. He is “in her life” so I doubt I will be able to get an NCP waiver, though part of the reason I am making the divorce official now is in case it comes to that (and also to get some legal weight behind a child support order). </p>
<p>Right now I feel like her list needs to include some guaranteed full-tuition schools (hence the push for a 1400/32 in test land) in case he doesn’t cooperate. She doesn’t love any of them so far, but it is what it is. I’ll see this kid to college regardless.</p>
<p>But it sure does make it challenging, that plus the fact that she isn’t sure about engineering and so probably shouldn’t be at an an RPI/WPI/Columbia SEAS or any other engineering program where it’s difficult to switch out if she has a change of heart.</p>
<p>My understanding is that different schools use the CSS Profile in different ways. Some look at home equity, others do not. That’s why you can get different awards from different schools. I would plug your numbers into a NPC and if it says you’re likely to get some need-based aid, then pay the fee and go for it. Otherwise, there’s not much point unless it keeps you from merit aid. CSS Profile CAN be different for different schools (it’s a snapshot of a certain moment) but it can be (mostly) the same for all schools. I remember the mechanics being very easy once the data was entered once.</p>
<p>My understanding is that having 2 in college at the same time is HUGE for need-based aid. You take the EFC and each school gets 60% (or so) of the EFC. Yes, that adds up to more than 100%, but it’s a lot better than 100% of EFC! For families with multiple children enrolled in college, the income limit can be as much as $250K, depending on the school. So don’t rule out the need-based aid.</p>
<p>maxwell, good luck to your D for mock trial!</p>
<p>OHMomof2, are you guys doing a dissolution, i.e., a “negotiated” divorce? I wonder if you can make it a condition of the divorce that he cooperate in a timely way with filing all college-related financial information.</p>
<p>OHMom, so sorry to hear that. I have no advice, but only sympathy. Talk about adding a whole 'nother layer of anxiety to this process. Maybe if she sweetly mentions it now and then when she is with him, the need to do this paperwork for college to happen, he might comply? Though it isn’t right to put kids in the middle in these situations, I guess.</p>
<p>Welcome anxiousma! Your daughter’s stats are great and will give her great choices. If you think about it, no matter what the stats, you end up with the same feeling of “is it enough?” We’ll have to compare notes as we go forward as our evaluations will focus on how the school fits the quieter kid. </p>
<p>OHmom, I don’t have any advice for you but I am sorry you are going through this. It sounds like you know what you are doing and having financial safeties makes a lot of sense.</p>
<p>@suzy100, I don’t know if it will be or not. If he cooperates, it may be. His MO has always been a little more ostrich-like - put his head in the sand and “lalala it will all go away”. If I had to guess I’d say it will be an uncontested divorce and then good luck to the court in tracking him down.</p>
<p>OHMom, I just want to add my condolences. That is a tough thing to go through, and more stressful with a child going through the college planning, applications and decisions. Just remember that you are always welcome to rant on this forum and that you will have many members here wishing all the best for you and your daughter.</p>
<p>OHMomof2, I’m in a similar boat. I’m divorced and ex will/can pay very little if anything toward college. I dread the Profile/NCP paperwork interactions that will have to occur. Is there a family member on his side with whom you still converse that could advocate on behalf of your D? </p>
<p>OHMom - sorry to hear about your situation - sending you hugs from MD. </p>
<p>I will second the Denison recommendation - we looked at it for DS1 and they were very generous with merit. My memory is fading but I think they gave him $24,000 and he was only a NM Commended - but his SAT’s were higher than his PSAT - also the Denison coach of his sport called 2x a week for months. The campus is beautiful and I liked the little town. In the end he fell hard for Oberlin who gave him much less but their gen ed requirements were pretty much a perfect match for the AP classes he took so with careful planning he was able to graduate a semester early. Also, he did a semester away and the tuition for that semester was much less than Oberlin. All together I think those two things probably saved us 20-25k. </p>
<p>Welcome to the newcomers!</p>
<p>Welcome Anxiousma. Those are very good stats and I find it a bit startling that earning some B’s is a big concern. Is your daughter taking lots of APs or Honor classes? At our school they definitely stress that getting B’s in an Honors class looks better to colleges than getting A’s in regular classes. And of course some high schools have serious grade inflation so the class ranking and test scores can help round out the picture, very favorably for your daughter. I’d expect she’ll be eligible for some good merit aid if you need or want it.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the kind words, folks. @suzy100 - yes, there’s family. I’m more concerned that he won’t be ABLE to do it more than that he WON’T do it. If he hasn’t filed taxes since we split, and that’s entirely possible, it will be too overwhelming for him to deal with catching up. And,he’d need to do the NCP paperwork for all 4 years she is in school. That’s a gamble I am not sure she should take. There is a very sad thread in another forum on CC about a kid who is at community college and doing great and just found out about guaranteed merit full rides at some large publics…that are only for freshmen.</p>
<p>Hi all newcomers! Anxiousma, your daughter has great stats. Truly. I would be overjoyed if my daughter even approached those numbers. Will she get into an Ivy? I can’t tell you she’ll get in but I can tell you she’s in the running. Keep in mind, it’s not the end of the school year. If these are year-long courses, she has time to bring those Bs up to As by June</p>
<p>OHMomof2, no advice here. I just wanted to let you know I’m sorry that you’re going through this. Rant on about the ex. I like Suzy100’s idea of having the divorce settlement include something about fulfilling college papers/requirements.</p>
<p>So Sorry you are going through this, OHMomof2, I can only offer hugs, no advice since I know very little about NPC’s or Fafsa etc.
Woodsmom, I am concerned not as much about the four Bs as much as the fact that she brought it on herself by failing to turn in some large pieces of Homework in Oct/Nov. No amount of catch up work could compensate for it. Also, this is what had happened in Freshman year when she was downgraded for not turning in some homework on time. We were so concerned at that time that we consulted with a psychologist to rule out ADD. The psychologist was quite adamant that she did not have it…but did not do any extensive testing. We let it rest at that time. Her sophomore grades were all very good (even in 3 AP classes)… However, this Oct I had a surgery and the whole household was in a mild state of disarray because of it and I attributed the forgetfulness to that.<br>
SlackerMomMD, we are not even thinking about Ivy’s. Just a nice small LAC where she will be happy and where we can get some merit aid. And, D’s school computes each semester grades independently they are not cumulated, even for year long courses. I am hoping she will do better in the second semester. Thanks everyone for your input.</p>
<p>Welcome anxiousma!! Your D sounds amazing and you have nothing to worry about. OHMom I am sorry for what you are going through. </p>
<p>We are getting a nor’easter Wednesday night into all day Thursday which means no school once again. We are driving to Virginia Sunday so I hope the weather is ok- if not we may leave on Saturday. </p>
<p>My D is having a semi- meltdown right now. Half meltdown and half laughing. Seems she lost a tiny piece of paper that needs to be attached to a research paper, but she says she can use something else instead…?? The less I ask the better. </p>
<p>The college mailings and emails are in full swing. About 6 envelopes and 8 emails today. I don’t mind, but ask me again when she is a freshman and I may have something else to say!</p>
<p>I am 2 pages behind and need to catch up but I just had to post about the ongoing saga that is the 6th grade honor roll breakfast. I’m sure you’re all thrilled but I just had to update (rolling eyes icon). When we last left off, the Principal responded to my email saying that they were in fact going to have a breakfast, sometime before break. That email was only 4 days ago. Today DS2 came home with a certificate for the “snack of your choice, redemption value not to exceed $1.00” in place of the breakfast celebration. So…either the Principal lied to me or changed his mind, again, in the last 4 days. I’m so done with this school…4 1/2 more months to go!!!</p>
<p>Keepme that is very annoying!! Our district places the 6th graders in middle school ( 6-7-8). Sounds like yours is in elementary?</p>
<p>Yes the 6th graders are in the elementary building but they switch teachers for math and science, have lockers and go out to the busses by themselves. It’s a good transition. The next building is a Jr/Sr High School which is tough on the younger ones and makes our kids grow up very fast. There is a separate JH locker room and cafeteria but the kids ride the same bus and walk the same hallways. But hey, at least they have an honor roll breakfast lol.</p>