Question:
I recently married (2 years ago) and I'm the step-father of 2 children, both at or near college age. I also have 3 children, 2 of which are currently attending state universities. My wife hasn't received any child support and due to her financial situation, has been unable to put aside any money for her children's college education. In addition, her X can't be located.

Why is my (instead of her ex-husband's) salary included when financial aid for my wife's children is calculated? Does the government assume that the day I marry, I am immediately responsible for the education of all step dependents? As a result of this situation, my step-children don't qualify and although I've agreed to partially fund their educations, I still come out the bad guy.

Any advice?? This is a bother to me also. My children were abandoned financially by their father. I remarried years later and my husband is expected to contribute to his stepchildren at least by disclosing his income. Neither the children nor I benefit from his money and yet the standard is to be joint with the new spouse. The schools involved do not wish to give courtesy to the sad facts perhaps because there are so many can-pay students. With the parents-plus loan it is manageable for me but I have no retirement now as I am not a big income producer and there is no money left after 8 years of college expenses. My loans will go on for at least l6 years after the children have graduated. They also each carry student loans themselves. If anyone knows a remedy to this situation, please post soon.

Answer:
Speaking purely as an ex-financial aid officer (former assistant director of financial aid at a NYC school, student loan officer at the same school before that), not as a representative of any college or the feds, my advice would be to go to the financial aid offices of a) the schools your biological children are attending b) the schools your stepchildren are attending (are they still in high school, or are they attending college now?) and sit down with a FAO to document your situation and appeal for more institutional aid, assuming the schools have any to spare.

Yes, the federal needs analysis formula assumes that you, since you are living in the household with your wife and stepchildren, do contribute to the household income and, therefore, to the EFC of your stepchildren. The ex-husband's support is picked up (at least theoretically) in the FAFSA under child support received. You're not the bad guy; that's just the way the formula works. I'd have to know more about what ``not qualifying'' means to your stepchildren (not qualifying for Pell? not qualifying for the federally subsidized student loan?) to give a more detailed answer. But again, talk to the FAOs at the schools: they're the ones best able to help you. You or your wife may, if you're comfortable with it, also want to look into the parent PLUS Loan or any number of outside loan agencies (Nellie Mae, PLATO, or whoever your FAOs recommend) to help finance your children's education.

I'm assuming you've also looked into outside scholarships and grants in your community--if not, it's time to start looking for 1999-2000. You are definitely not the "bad guy." Actually you are the good guy, since presumably you have been providing support and care to the step-children since your marriage. The government is not saying that you are responsible to pay for the students education, nor are they saying that mom is either, but the information is required to determine the student's eligibility for financial aid. The formula will determine the family's "ability to pay", and they see you as part of the family. If you are the custodial parent to your own 3 kids, then when you fill out financial aid forms you will indicate that there are multiple college students in the family, and aid eligibility will increase for each student. If you are not the custodial parent, you should communicate directly with the financial aid office of the colleges the step-child applies to and point out how much (if any) you are already contributing for college on behalf of your natural children. The college can make special adjustments if they wish. Steven B. Blank College Financial Aid Consultants 29 Ives Hill Court Cheshire, CT 06410 (203)250-7761

Why is my (instead of her ex-husband's) salary included when financial aid for my wife's children is calculated? Because you married her. Does the government assume that the day I marry, I am immediately responsible for the education of all step dependents?

Yes.