Can I delete FAFSA application and restart without non-custodial parent who won't cooperate?

Ugh dealing with uncooperative parents for FAFSA is THE WORST. My mom refused to give her info when I was applying. Have you tried the dependency override option? Not sure if it applies in your situation but worth checking

You can't simply delete your application and restart without the other parent if you have shared custody. The FAFSA requires information from both parents unless you have specific documentation showing you have 100% legal and physical custody. What you CAN do is apply for a "non-custodial parent waiver" through your daughter's schools. This is different from a dependency override (which wouldn't apply here since your daughter isn't trying to apply independently from both parents). Many schools have a process for this exact situation. You'll need to: 1. Complete the FAFSA with your information only 2. Document your situation (custody agreement, proof he doesn't contribute financially) 3. Contact each school's financial aid office to submit their specific non-custodial parent waiver form This won't change her dependency status, but it may allow schools to calculate her aid without requiring her father's information.

Continue with your current application, but only enter your information where it asks for parental details. When it asks for information about her father, you'll have to put "unknown" or "0" in the required fields to move forward. Once you submit the FAFSA, immediately reach out to each school's financial aid office to explain the situation and ask about their non-custodial parent waiver process. Each school handles these differently. Keep in mind that your daughter's SAI (Student Aid Index) may initially be calculated incorrectly due to the missing information, but schools can adjust this after reviewing your waiver request.

I just went through this exact nightmare with my son's FAFSA. His dad hasn't been in the picture for years but technically we still have joint custody on paper. What worked for us was filing the FAFSA with just my information, then requesting a "professional judgment" review at each school. You'll need documentation showing that the other parent doesn't provide financial support. I used: - Our custody agreement - Bank statements showing I receive no child support - A letter explaining the situation Every school approved it, and they recalculated my son's SAI based on just my income. His aid packages were much better after that! Just be prepared that this can take time. Start immediately after submitting the FAFSA.

Unfortunately, you have to submit separate requests to EACH school - there's no universal form. Each college has their own process and paperwork for these situations. Some call it a "professional judgment review," others call it a "special circumstances form" or "non-custodial parent waiver." For my son's 5 schools, I created a basic packet with all our documentation, then customized it slightly for each school's specific requirements. It was time-consuming but worth it. Start gathering your documentation now - proof of separation, any court documents, evidence that he doesn't contribute financially, etc. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case.

wht about just asking ur daughters father to sign a statement saying he refuses to participate? my cousins bf did that for his college apps and it worked fine, saved a lot of hassle

The whole FAFSA system is GARBAGE for situations like this!!! I'm going through the EXACT same thing with my ex who refuses to provide his info for our twins. He hasn't paid a DIME in child support in 3 years but because our divorce decree doesn't specifically give me 100% FINANCIAL responsibility (just physical custody), we're stuck in FAFSA hell!!! I spent 4 HOURS on hold with Federal Student Aid last week only to be told "it's up to the schools" whether they'll process a non-custodial waiver. The system is DESIGNED to punish responsible parents!!!!

When my daughter applied for financial aid last year we were in a similar situation with her dad. I found that the CSS Profile (required by many private colleges) actually has a much better process for handling non-custodial parents than FAFSA does. If any of your daughter's schools require the CSS Profile, they have a specific non-custodial parent waiver form you can submit directly through College Board.

I'm a financial aid counselor, and I see this situation frequently. To clarify some confusion in this thread: 1. You CANNOT just delete and restart the FAFSA without consequences. The system tracks applications by SSN. 2. A "dependency override" is NOT what you need. That's for students who are independent from ALL parents. 3. What you need is a "non-custodial parent waiver" or "professional judgment review" at each school. 4. You should still complete the FAFSA with your information only, but be prepared to provide documentation to each school. 5. Your daughter's initial SAI will likely be incorrect until schools process your special circumstances request. Be persistent and start this process immediately after submitting the FAFSA. Good luck!

I went through this exact situation with my son two years ago! His father disappeared when he was 12 and we had no way to contact him for FAFSA info. Here's what worked for us: 1. Complete the FAFSA with only your information - leave his father's section blank where possible 2. Immediately after submitting, email ALL the financial aid offices at your daughter's schools explaining the situation 3. Ask each school for their "Special Circumstances" or "Professional Judgment" form 4. Gather ALL documentation showing he doesn't contribute: bank statements, any custody paperwork, proof of no child support, etc. The most important thing is TIMING - start this process right after you submit the FAFSA because it can take 4-6 weeks for schools to review. My son ended up getting great aid packages once the schools processed our appeals. Don't give up! The system is frustrating but there ARE ways around uncooperative parents.