Anonymous wrote:
OP, most college financial aid offices and admissions offices have heard and seen it ALL. You and your DD should contact Cornell FA and admissions right away. You didn't mention (that I saw) what the FA situation for her is at Cornell with the ED admittance. Was the ex's anticipated contribution what you listed on FA forms?? If so, that needs to be radically revamped immediately. Call the FA office and admissions.
Despite all the "it's not worth X dollars!" PPs above, who only see dollar signs, we cannot know if your child chose Cornell for a specific major or program she can't just duplicate easily at Big Cheap State School X. People here often assume everyone will be fine and dandy going to that huge state school, and people do not understand that even as freshmen, some students are going directly into specific academic programs not necessarily available elsewhere.
What your ex had or hadn't agreed to before this acceptance is important. Did ex specifically say no money for college at all, ever, or was this really about "No money for Cornell/out of state/private/anywhere that I do not deem a good 'return on investment'?" Either way your ex is a Grade A jerk for not contributing, but if the issue is the specific choice of college(s) and not college money per se--is there someone in the family whom you trust to impress on the ex that this program at this college is the best one for DD? Of course, ex could, as someone already noted, help pay one semester's costs, then bail.
I'm rooting for you and your DD on this one, OP. If she has to give up Cornell, please try to help her be positive and seek out great opportunities wherever she goes. Being resentful and angry at her other parent, while 100 percent justified in my view, won't help her embrace and enjoy her education at a different college.
ITA with this advice. Please call them.