CSS Profile Absent Parent Waiver Request

Dear {college admissions office}:

I am writing on behalf of my student, {Student Name}, whom I advise in my role as guidance counselor at {High School Name}. It is my professional and personal judgment that {Student Name} should be exempted from the rule requiring their absent parent’s information be included on the CSS Profile.

In my four years of working with this student, I have never had any contact with or awareness of their {mother/father}. I did not inquire about this and did not consider family status until it became clear that {Student Name} would be applying to schools that require the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA. It was then that I learned that failure to complete the CSS Profile documentation would cause {Student Name} extreme hardship.

{Mother/father} has been {absent from their lives with no contact/is the subject of court-ordered action due to physical threats/other extreme circumstance}. Moreover, this parent has provided zero financial support. In fact, {parent cannot be contacted due to homelessness, leaving the country, etc.}.

Under separate cover, {relative of student} will be providing legal documentation to this effect. I urge you to carefully review this information and grant an exception to the CSS Profile requirement.

Thank you for your consideration. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions. {Student Name} is bright, dedicated, and compassionate, and should not be penalized due to a family situation beyond their control.

Sincerely,

{Name}

Index of Hardship Letter Examples