Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

My parents are divorced and I was counting on my mom's income (unmarried) to get me a good fin aid package. But I found out my dad (remarried) has to fill out the non-custodial parent form. Will the non-custodial parent form drastically affect financial aid packages??

By Bandit_Tx (Bandit_Tx) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 06:24 pm: Edit

Yes, every school we have looked at makes the statement that they expect both parents (and step parents) to contribute to the extent that the CSS indicates.

By Thumper1 (Thumper1) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 06:29 pm: Edit

The only way to know for sure how filling out the non-custodial parent form will affect your aid picture is to call finaid at the college. I will say that I know some kiddos who had to fill out this form. It included the non-custodial parent's income AND their spouses income. Remember....it is expected FAMILY contribution...not expected CUSTODIAL PARENT contribution. The assumption is that if you have parents they can both contribute to your education. If one is remarried and the spouse is working, that spouse's income is part of the family income (thus perhaps making it more possible for the noncustodial parent to contribute). There is also no allowance for families where the parents have the income and will not contribute. If the college is asking for noncustodial parent income forms, it is very likely that they consider that income when they are awarding needbased aid. How "drastically" this would affect your finaid package would depend on your dad's income. The higher his income, the more of an affect this will have. Call the school and ask.

By Ainsley727 (Ainsley727) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 11:30 pm: Edit

Thanks for the advice