Uncooperative Ex

[Anonymous]

DC is going to college next year and although ex agreed to help pay expenses, it is becoming clear he will not. I reached out to him multiple times to discuss what he can afford to contribute but he has ignored my numerous emails and text messages asking to sit down and discuss. I am now worried he won't complete the FAFSA. If that is the case, how do schools handle these situations?

[Anonymous]

What kind of relationship does he have with your child?

[Anonymous]

Every school is different. Call the financial aid office of the school he's going to, and ask them.

[Anonymous]

Following.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is going to college next year and although ex agreed to help pay expenses, it is becoming clear he will not. I reached out to him multiple times to discuss what he can afford to contribute but he has ignored my numerous emails and text messages asking to sit down and discuss. I am now worried he won't complete the FAFSA. If that is the case, how do schools handle these situations?

Ahhh, my life in the 90s. Father could have helped defray college but chose not to (after initially saying he would).

You'll have to call the school to find out what to do.

Sorry, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every school is different. Call the financial aid office of the school he's going to, and ask them.

This. There are waivers available for kids who have this concern, but I believe the standard is no support and verification/testimony is required to substantiate it. People have undoubtedly played games on this score. Anyway I remember seeing this on the CSS profile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is going to college next year and although ex agreed to help pay expenses, it is becoming clear he will not. I reached out to him multiple times to discuss what he can afford to contribute but he has ignored my numerous emails and text messages asking to sit down and discuss. I am now worried he won't complete the FAFSA. If that is the case, how do schools handle these situations?

Who has primary custody? Primary custody parent fills out the FAFSA. And look for schools where they don’t include earnings from the non-custodial parent, which should boost need-based aid.

[Anonymous]

You don't need him to fill out the FAFSA. Only the custodial parent fills it out. Avoid schools that require the CSS because he will need to fill that out. I'm in the same situation so that's my plan.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, the schools he is most interested in require it. Sigh. I called one school to plead our case and waiting for a call back. So frustrating because its not like he is going to pay a dime so why is his information required under these circumstances. Just sucks that dc won't be considered for any financial assistance if his father refuses to complete the form.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, the schools he is most interested in require it. Sigh. I called one school to plead our case and waiting for a call back. So frustrating because its not like he is going to pay a dime so why is his information required under these circumstances. Just sucks that dc won't be considered for any financial assistance if his father refuses to complete the form.

^^I should add the schools he is most interested in require the CSS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't need him to fill out the FAFSA. Only the custodial parent fills it out. Avoid schools that require the CSS because he will need to fill that out. I'm in the same situation so that's my plan.

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, the schools he is most interested in require it. Sigh. I called one school to plead our case and waiting for a call back. So frustrating because its not like he is going to pay a dime so why is his information required under these circumstances. Just sucks that dc won't be considered for any financial assistance if his father refuses to complete the form.

College payment should have been covered in the divorce decree. Anyhow, custodial parent files the FAFSA. most colleges will not talk to you about aid until you file first.

[Anonymous]

My x refused to have this item written into the divorce settlement. He is difficult, and after long negotiations I had to let go of a few things and this was one of them. He arrogantly said he would do the right thing. Well, he didn't. It caused my daughter to make an economical school decision and she's finishing her master's early.

[Anonymous]

He's not required to pay if its not in the divorce decree. Anything he does after 18 is between him and the child not you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's not required to pay if its not in the divorce decree. Anything he does after 18 is between him and the child not you.

It is in the divorce decree but I know I am going to need to go back to court to get a judgment against him. Listen, even when you do everything right to look out for your dc's, if he doesn't want to pay he simply won't. I can get a judgment and slap a lien on something he owns but the likelihood of getting the money back is slim.

Also, if I go to court to try to get him to fill out the CSS, how long will that take to wind its way through the courts during COVID? Probably more time than we have right now.

Finally, we are in DC and the child support obligation ends at 21, NOT 18.