FAFSA parent remarriage affecting Ivy League financial aid - will student lose $80K+ package?

This is why the financial aid system is completely broken!!! Your step-dad's income shouldn't count if he's not contributing, but the FAFSA doesn't care about real life situations AT ALL. They just see numbers on paper. My cousin went through something similar and ended up $100k in debt because she lost her grants when her mom remarried. It's RIDICULOUS that some random adult who isnt even related to you can destroy your education!!!

yikes thats tough. when does ur mom get married exactly? if its after u submit next years fafsa maybe you'll be ok for sophomore year at least

I work in financial aid at a selective college (not an Ivy, but similar aid policies). You have a few options to consider: 1. Talk to your financial aid office IMMEDIATELY. Ivy League schools have substantial institutional aid that isn't tied to federal guidelines. They often have special appeal processes for situations exactly like yours. 2. Most Ivies have a "no loan" policy and meet full demonstrated need even without Pell eligibility. Your package might change but won't necessarily disappear. 3. See if your school offers a "student contribution protection" program for students in your situation. 4. Your mom and future step-dad could consider a prenuptial agreement specifically addressing college expenses. Some institutions will consider this documentation. 5. Dependency override is unlikely - marriage of a parent doesn't qualify under federal guidelines. Don't panic yet - schedule a meeting with your financial aid officer and explain the situation. They've seen this before and likely have institutional solutions.

Yes, bring all your current financial aid documentation to the meeting. Also prepare a written summary of your situation including: - Timeline of your mother's upcoming marriage - Documentation that your future step-parent is unwilling to contribute (if possible) - Your current aid package details - Your academic achievements and campus involvement (shows you're a valuable community member) Ivy League schools have enormous endowments with significant discretionary aid. They can often make adjustments that other schools can't. It's in their interest to keep high-achieving students regardless of changing family circumstances.

just wanna say that happened to my roommate! her mom got remarried to some rich guy who refused to help with college but she still lost all her aid. ended up transferring to state school 😥 hope it works out better for u

I had MASSIVE problems trying to get through to the financial aid office at my Ivy when my dad lost his job mid-semester. Spent like 3 weeks calling every day and either getting voicemail or disconnected. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual human in the federal student aid office who helped me understand my options. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ After I understood the federal rules, I was able to have a much more productive conversation with my university's financial aid office. Might help you figure out what's actually possible before you meet with your school.

This is a challenging situation, but I've helped several students navigate similar circumstances. Here's what you need to know about FAFSA and CSS Profile calculations with stepparents: 1. For FAFSA, a stepparent's income and assets ARE counted if they're married to your custodial parent at the time you submit the application. This will affect your SAI (Student Aid Index, formerly EFC). 2. For CSS Profile (used by Ivies), stepparent information is always required, but schools have more discretion in how they use this information. 3. Ivy League schools typically practice "holistic financial aid review" where they can consider special circumstances. The good news: Ivy financial aid offices have significant authority to make professional judgment adjustments. If your stepparent is unwilling to contribute, request a "professional judgment review" and get this in writing from your stepparent if possible. Also, check your school's specific policies on stepparent contributions. Some Ivies have formulas that phase in stepparent income over 2-3 years rather than counting it 100% immediately.

wait can't u just file as independent? that's what my friend did when his mom remarried and he didn't want his stepdad's income to count

I'm meeting with financial aid tomorrow and have all my documents ready. One more question - does anyone know if Ivy League schools require both biological parents to contribute even if they're divorced? My dad hasn't been in the picture for years but makes decent money. The school hasn't asked for his information so far, but could they start requiring it if my mom's new marital status triggers a review?

good luck with ur meeting! let us know how it goes

Hey Grant, I just wanted to reach out because I'm in a somewhat similar situation - my mom is engaged to someone who makes significantly more than she does, and I'm terrified about what this will mean for my financial aid when I start applying to colleges next year. Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening about how complex this whole process is. I had no idea that Ivy League schools have their own institutional policies that might be more flexible than federal aid rules. It sounds like you're being really proactive by meeting with your financial aid office - that gives me hope that there might be solutions available that aren't immediately obvious. I'm definitely going to start researching this stuff earlier rather than waiting until it becomes a crisis. Please do update us on how your meeting goes! I think there are probably a lot of students dealing with blended family financial aid issues who could benefit from hearing about your experience.

I'm really sorry you're going through this stress - it's such a difficult position to be in when family changes threaten your educational opportunities. I've been following financial aid policy for years and wanted to add a few thoughts to the excellent advice already given. One thing to emphasize is that Ivy League schools really do have more flexibility than people realize. Their endowments allow them to make exceptions that state schools or less well-funded private colleges simply can't afford. The key is presenting your case clearly and professionally. Also, timing matters here. Since your mom is marrying in June and you'll likely file your 2025-26 FAFSA in late 2024/early 2025, you might have nearly a full academic year under your current aid package before any changes take effect. Use this time strategically - maintain excellent grades, get involved on campus, and build relationships with faculty. Schools are much more willing to work with students who demonstrate they're thriving academically and contributing to campus life. Document everything about your stepfather's unwillingness to contribute. Even a simple email from your mom confirming his position could be helpful evidence in an appeal. The financial aid office needs concrete information to justify any special consideration. You've got this - don't give up on your dreams yet!