Teen stepdad won’t pay for college

[Anonymous]

We know a teen whose mom and stepdad seem to have an agreement that the stepdad is not responsible for paying for any of the teen’s college. So it is up to the mom, I don’t think she makes tons of money, but they won’t get as much aid if they have to include the stepdad’s salary.
Is there any way around this? I feel so sorry for this teen. She deserves to go to college.

[Anonymous]

This is why my boyfriend and I are not getting married yet. I make and own enough assets to knock the kids out of the running for financial aid but not enough to give them tons of money for college.

What about the bio dad? Who contributes the most money to the kids upbringing?

[Anonymous]

Is it the sort of agreement where the student gets to legally claim very little parental income and therefore they're eligible for financial aid, and the stepfather sends generous child support and alimony?

Because that's a sweet set-up, OP. Most families would love to be eligible for financial aid...

[Anonymous]

Take a gap year or two, work, become independent, then apply & seek need-based financial aid.

Or attend local community college for two years.

[Anonymous]

The couple could divorce, then she’d qualify for aid.

[Anonymous]

Happened to me! I got loans. They were in my name, which was allowed back then. I’m sorry for your friend. It’s a terrible thing. Where is Dad??

[Anonymous]

OP. Mom and stepdad had to be married for immigration reasons and have another child together. Teen’s bio dad is completely out of the picture.

[Anonymous]

Teen Wolf > Teen Angel > Teen Stepdad (the subject of this thread was poorly written)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take a gap year or two, work, become independent, then apply & seek need-based financial aid.

Or attend local community college for two years.

One reason I want to help this teen is that I don’t think she feels fully safe and secure in the home with her mom and stepdad. It would be best if she could get away from that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it the sort of agreement where the student gets to legally claim very little parental income and therefore they're eligible for financial aid, and the stepfather sends generous child support and alimony?

Because that's a sweet set-up, OP. Most families would love to be eligible for financial aid...

No it is not that situation. It is the opposite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take a gap year or two, work, become independent, then apply & seek need-based financial aid.

Or attend local community college for two years.

One reason I want to help this teen is that I don’t think she feels fully safe and secure in the home with her mom and stepdad. It would be best if she could get away from that.

Help her find a very low cost school and/or one gives her merit aid. Need-based aid is probably a dead end (hope it's not).

[Anonymous]

My understanding is that all the parents' income and assets will be considered for aid at private universities. That includes stepdad and dad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it the sort of agreement where the student gets to legally claim very little parental income and therefore they're eligible for financial aid, and the stepfather sends generous child support and alimony?

Because that's a sweet set-up, OP. Most families would love to be eligible for financial aid...

No it is not that situation. It is the opposite.

Yes, I read your update. Weird and sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that all the parents' income and assets will be considered for aid at private universities. That includes stepdad and dad.

This is only at the fancier privates. Plenty of less fancy privates are FAFSA only and do not ask for bio dad income and assets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take a gap year or two, work, become independent, then apply & seek need-based financial aid.

Or attend local community college for two years.

One reason I want to help this teen is that I don’t think she feels fully safe and secure in the home with her mom and stepdad. It would be best if she could get away from that.

Can they afford two years of community college then guaranteed transfer to UMD or whatever the state college is? If she works part-time, she could pull it off with a little help from her mother.

And about feeling safe... come on. Is this going to turn into an anti-immigrant screed, OP? Are you saying he's a pedo? A violent drunk? If she really wants to make this work, she needs to save money and live at home while going to college.