New Fin Aid Q

What resources (loans) are available to a parent outside the FAFSA package? So, kids fin aid package has him eligible for around $5,000 Pell grant and $5,000 student loans. his father will be compelled by court shortly to pay at least 75% of the gap between that aid and his costs (roughly $25k total costs so gap to make up will be around $15k). He doesn't have it so I want to be able to guide him to how he might be able to borrow it.

Parent Plus loan. But be careful. The dad is willing to take out $60,000 in loans ($15k x 4)?

Here's more info:

https://www.edvisors.com/colle...

https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/t...

https://www.usnews.com/educati...

Also, did the student get awarded work-study? That would be another several thousand.

By compelled do you mean a NY court willl force him to pay for his child's college education regardless of cost of attendance? I'm just curious. I'm living off pb&j to prepare my child for college, I'd love to know if her father could be compelled to come up with some money for college.

in cases where the parents are no longer together, yes, the parent can be compelled to pay. This situation is a bit different as he's the sole parent but all 3 lawyers we spoke to said a parent in a divorce can absolutely be compelled to pay and the split with the other parent depends on income. There are also limits in some states (using a state school standard cost) so, no, not regardless of cost of attendance. 

Shoshannah, he doesn't have to be "willing". And he is only compelled by court until 21 so 3 years. 

conandrob240 said:


Shoshannah, he doesn't have to be "willing". And he is only compelled by court until 21 so 3 years.

Does the court require him to pay 75% of whatever price college his son wants? Or does he have to go to the least expensive option (like community college)?

And is it 75% of tuition? Or 75% of Cost of Attendance (tuition, room, board, travel, books, and required fees)?

conandrob240 said:

in cases where the parents are no longer together, yes, the parent can be compelled to pay. This situation is a bit different as he's the sole parent but all 3 lawyers we spoke to said a parent in a divorce can absolutely be compelled to pay and the split with the other parent depends on income. There are also limits in some states (using a state school standard cost) so, no, not regardless of cost of attendance.

Shoshannah, he doesn't have to be "willing". And he is only compelled by court until 21 so 3 years.

I've followed your posts on this sad situation, so I am very sympathetic to what your nephew is going through. That said, I'm somewhat shocked that a parent can be compelled to pay for their child's college education, separated or not. (Not that it isn't the right thing these days, but have never thought of college as a "right").

Are you sure? Seems like he might be better off becoming an emancipated minor and getting help that way.

While we're on "compelling" how enforceable is it? Either a parent has it or they don't. Can a parent be forced to take a loan? How? Take on a new job? Sell their house to pay for college? To what end? By the way I'm just curious, not judging or offering any opinion. How does it work? Any idea?

75% of tuition, books and room/board or living expenses as determined by the net calculator for the school. The standard being used is cost of a state 4 year school so, no not any cost but doesn't have to be cheapest and kid doesn't have to be forced to live at home.

So, he must pay 75% of the gap of the $15,000 for the next 3 years.

His ex is rarely reasonable but in this case, he wasn't being fair with support. She offered a settlement out of court for the NY state standard for the 2 joint kids and 1/2 college support for the kid that isn't hers that's his alone and lives with her. She was trying to be fair. Now, he's compelled to pay considerably higher (30% higher) than the state standard, all medical, dental and mental health until each turns 26, a monthly amount towards child care and 75% college expenses. Ha-ha-ha-ha!!!

Not sure about the enforcement part. Haven't gotten there yet. I don't think he wasn't planning on paying but the % is a shocker to him. He thinks even though he makes $85k and she/ex makes $15k annually, everything should be a 50-50 split. The court did not agree with that and has made it more a 75-25 split.

ElizMcCord said:

While we're on "compelling" how enforceable is it? Either a parent has it or they don't. Can a parent be forced to take a loan? How? Take on a new job? Sell their house to pay for college? To what end? By the way I'm just curious, not judging or offering any opinion. How does it work? Any idea?

jimmurphy said:

conandrob240 said:

in cases where the parents are no longer together, yes, the parent can be compelled to pay. This situation is a bit different as he's the sole parent but all 3 lawyers we spoke to said a parent in a divorce can absolutely be compelled to pay and the split with the other parent depends on income. There are also limits in some states (using a state school standard cost) so, no, not regardless of cost of attendance.

Shoshannah, he doesn't have to be "willing". And he is only compelled by court until 21 so 3 years.

I've followed your posts on this sad situation, so I am very sympathetic to what your nephew is going through. That said, I'm somewhat shocked that a parent can be compelled to pay for their child's college education, separated or not. (Not that it isn't the right thing these days, but have never thought of college as a "right").

Are you sure? Seems like he might be better off becoming an emancipated minor and getting help that way.

For college financial aid purposes, you cannot be considered financially independent from your parents until age 24. There are some exceptions, like if you're married.

shoshannah said:

jimmurphy said:

conandrob240 said:

in cases where the parents are no longer together, yes, the parent can be compelled to pay. This situation is a bit different as he's the sole parent but all 3 lawyers we spoke to said a parent in a divorce can absolutely be compelled to pay and the split with the other parent depends on income. There are also limits in some states (using a state school standard cost) so, no, not regardless of cost of attendance.

Shoshannah, he doesn't have to be "willing". And he is only compelled by court until 21 so 3 years.

I've followed your posts on this sad situation, so I am very sympathetic to what your nephew is going through. That said, I'm somewhat shocked that a parent can be compelled to pay for their child's college education, separated or not. (Not that it isn't the right thing these days, but have never thought of college as a "right").

Are you sure? Seems like he might be better off becoming an emancipated minor and getting help that way.

For college financial aid purposes, you cannot be considered financially independent from your parents until age 24. There are some exceptions, like if you're married.

I *think* this is not a blanket policy. There are some awful parents out there. There is such a thing as an emancipated minor, and they are considered financially independent of their parents.

But I defer if you have researched the issue in detail. Just trying to help.

nope, the emancipated minor thing is exactly as described. Wasn't an option.

And, yes, I'm sure he's being compelled to pay. If your marriage is intact, it's not a thing. Applies only in cases of divorce.

jimmurphy said:

shoshannah said:

jimmurphy said:

conandrob240 said:

in cases where the parents are no longer together, yes, the parent can be compelled to pay. This situation is a bit different as he's the sole parent but all 3 lawyers we spoke to said a parent in a divorce can absolutely be compelled to pay and the split with the other parent depends on income. There are also limits in some states (using a state school standard cost) so, no, not regardless of cost of attendance.

Shoshannah, he doesn't have to be "willing". And he is only compelled by court until 21 so 3 years.

I've followed your posts on this sad situation, so I am very sympathetic to what your nephew is going through. That said, I'm somewhat shocked that a parent can be compelled to pay for their child's college education, separated or not. (Not that it isn't the right thing these days, but have never thought of college as a "right").

Are you sure? Seems like he might be better off becoming an emancipated minor and getting help that way.

For college financial aid purposes, you cannot be considered financially independent from your parents until age 24. There are some exceptions, like if you're married.

I *think* this is not a blanket policy. There are some awful parents out there. There is such a thing as an emancipated minor, and they are considered financially independent of their parents.

But I defer if you have researched the issue in detail. Just trying to help.

Like I said, there are exceptions. Being married is one. Or, I think, if you're a military veteran (are there vets under 24?). Or if parents abandoned you. Or if you're in the foster system. But being a legally emancipated minor does not completely overlap with be considered independent for the purposes of financial aid. Financial aid has its own quirky rules.

OK.

Gotta say I'm shocked by this, both from the perspective of an 18 year old's inability to distance him or herself from their parents, regardless of circumstance, and from a parents' standpoint of being responsible for an adult child.

The court "compelling" paying college tuition is the most difficult to believe.

Are you sure you're not referring to the "expected family contribution"?

This is very different than compelling.

jimmurphy said:

OK.

Gotta say I'm shocked by this, both from the perspective of an 18 year old's inability to distance him or herself from their parents, regardless of circumstance, and from a parents' standpoint of being responsible for an adult child.

College costs WAY too much for an 18-year-old to afford on his/her own. Before giving out money, the federal gov't and colleges want to claw away as much as possible from the parents first. Maybe it wasn't like this when college costs could easily be earned with a summer job. I don't know.

The student can start at a community college to keep costs down. Or get a merit award to go someplace where they are in the top 10% of students.

I just worry that this administration is going to get rid of Pell grants and federal loan programs. They've already demonstrated that they don't want to help U.S. citizens who aren't rich.

shoshannah said:

jimmurphy said:

OK.

Gotta say I'm shocked by this, both from the perspective of an 18 year old's inability to distance him or herself from their parents, regardless of circumstance, and from a parents' standpoint of being responsible for an adult child.

College costs WAY too much for an 18-year-old to afford on his/her own. Before giving out money, the federal gov't and colleges want to claw away as much as possible from the parents first. Maybe it wasn't like this when college costs could easily be earned with a summer job. I don't know.

The student can start at a community college to keep costs down. Or get a merit award to go someplace where they are in the top 10% of students.

I just worry that this administration is going to get rid of Pell grants and federal loan programs. They've already demonstrated that they don't want to help U.S. citizens who aren't rich.

Supposedly Pell grants are safe, per the orange one.

I'm out of this discussion. Conandrob, best of luck to your nephew.

jimmurphy said:

The court "compelling" paying college tuition is the most difficult to believe.

It's considered an obligation of support, like housing, food, clothing. In most states, both parents pay tuition proportionately based on their incomes and assets. Whether or not it applies to any school regardless of cost depends on the parents' incomes. So, if you make $500k a year, you can't decide to only pay for community college if your kid got into Princeton.

Understood that this is the "expectation" for financial support, but can a parent be "compelled" to send his or her child to college? I highly doubt so.

Again, if I'm wrong, so be it. Not trying to stake out some libertarian position.

I always understood that parents are legally reponsible for their children as minors. Children are entitled to a high school education (and should be entitled to more), but are they legally entitled to more? That's the question.

Guess I'm not out...

No, not referring to expected parent contribution. And, yes, I'm quite sure. Thanks for your concern.

jimmurphy said:

Are you sure you're not referring to the "expected family contribution"?

This is very different than compelling.

Ok out.

@conandrob240

Did you get the info in first post? That's what you need. We kind of got off track.

NJ has a statute regarding such issue and there's currently an ongoing case on said matter. Child sues divorced parents to pay for college, attends cheaper state school, then transfers to Temple U unbeknown to parents, with no regard to whether they can afford Temple, on and on. It's unbelievable but it's a thing. Court hears case, rules in favor of student, parents appeal, court hears their case, endless nightmare for both parties. Obviously this is separate from Conandrob's nephew's issue, just drawing you back in (sorry) that is a thing for divorced parents

jimmurphy said:

Understood that this is the "expectation" for financial support, but can a parent be "compelled" to send his or her child to college? I highly doubt so.

yes, this is exactly what I needed. I knew there was a parent loan but not what it was called.

One more Q-I assume this goes directly to the parent/loan owner as opposed to the school? Tuition will be covered by kids fin ad package. The parental loan $ will most likely be for off-campus housing.

jimmurphy said:

Understood that this is the "expectation" for financial support, but can a parent be "compelled" to send his or her child to college? I highly doubt so.

It is treated the same as child support, the state will either garnish your wages or put a lien on your property or freeze your bank account. Happened when my father refused to pay my brother's tuition the year before he graduated. It was in a different state, but same rule applies in NJ.

conandrob240 said:

yes, this is exactly what I needed. I knew there was a parent loan but not what it was called.

One more Q-I assume this goes directly to the parent/loan owner as opposed to the school? Tuition will be covered by kids fin ad package. The parental loan $ will most likely be for off-campus housing.

It's a federal education loan, so it goes directly to the school. If the total of grants and loans the school receives exceeds the school's invoice amount, the student gets a refund of the excess. That happens AFTER school begins, usually the first week. So he will need money up front to rent the apartment (obviously, for students living in dorms this is not an issue because on-campus room and board is part of the invoice).

thanks. Yes, determining where $ for security deposit, first months rent etc would come from was my concern. Does it come directly back to the student as a check made out to him?

conandrob240 said:

thanks. Yes, determining where $ for security deposit, first months rent etc would come from was my concern. Does it come directly back to the student as a check made out to him?

Best way to get specifics is to ask the college. You can call the F/A office. They might credit it to his account unless he specifically asks for it as a check. I am thinking that since the loan is in the parent's name, the check may be made out to the parent. But IDK. You have to call.