Divorced or Separated Parents

The Tufts standard policy is to require the financial information from two parents, typically the student’s biological or adoptive custodial and noncustodial parent when awarding institutional need-based aid to undergraduate students whose parents are divorced, separated, never married, or living apart.

Exceptions to this policy are limited and granted only in specific circumstances. These may include situations in which the noncustodial parent is deceased, incarcerated, or in cases involving students who are donor conceived. All requests are reviewed on a case-by-case
basis, and documentation may be required to support the circumstances.

The custodial parent is the parent who provided the most financial support during the past 12 months. This definition follows the federal FAFSA guidelines and may differ from legal custody arrangements.

The custodial parent must submit:

• Parent information in the FAFSA
• Parent information in the CSS Profile
• Required tax documentation (via IDOC)

The noncustodial parent must submit:

• Noncustodial parent information in their own CSS Profile (Noncustodial Parent Profile)
• Required tax documentation (via IDOC, if applicable)

Noncustodial parent information is required for the student’s initial year of applying for institutional aid. The Financial Aid Office may require updated information in future years.

Please note:

• Divorce agreements that assign responsibility for college costs to one parent do not waive this requirement.
• A noncustodial parent’s unwillingness to contribute to college costs does not, by itself, qualify a student for a waiver.

Tufts understands that in some circumstances, it may be impossible or inappropriate to obtain financial information from a noncustodial parent.

Students who have no contact with their noncustodial parent or whose situation involves documented extenuating circumstances (such as abandonment, abuse, or legal restrictions) may request a waiver of the noncustodial parent requirement.

Important Notes

• Waiver approvals apply only to Tufts institutional financial aid.
• Federal financial aid eligibility is determined separately based on FAFSA requirements.

How to Request a Waiver

Students seeking a waiver must:

1. Complete the CSS Profile and indicate that they are requesting a noncustodial parent waiver.
2. Submit the CSS Profile Waiver Request for the Noncustodial Parent form (available through the College Board IDOC website) along with the items detailed below.
3. Provide a detailed written statement explaining why you are unable to submit the Noncustodial Parent Statement. Your statement should include the history and current status of your relationship with your noncustodial parent, the nature and frequency of any contact, and any financial support that has been provided by that parent.
4. Provide supporting third-party documentation, such as:
   • A letter from someone who has first-hand knowledge of the situation (for example: a school counselor, social worker, clergy member, or attorney
   • Court or police documentation (for example: restraining orders or custody records)
   • Other relevant legal or official records

All waiver requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis Submission of a waiver request does not guarantee approval, and the Financial Aid Office may request additional documentation if needed.

Waiver requests should be submitted as early as possible to avoid delays in financial aid review. If you are notified your waiver was denied upon admission to Tufts and you still need time to submit the required documents, your financial aid will not be impacted as long as it is submitted and reviewed before the admission deposit is made.