Bad Timing

I’m in a bit of a rut. I’ve just started hearing back from schools and am seeing that I’m not receiving any financial aid. It wouldn’t be an issue if my parents hadn’t decided to start getting divorced right after filing all of our documents to financial aid offices. Combined they make 200k, but my mom alone makes 90k and that’s not enough to live in a town with crazy high taxes like ours with the mortgage we have and the insane cost of living here. 200k in my town is not like 200k elsewhere and that presents a problem with the financial aspect of paying for college. Will my mother be able to appeal to financial aid offices because of this divorce, and most importantly will she actually be able to get the aid needed to put me through college?

She can appeal for a change in circumstances, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get more money. How much does she make on her own? Are you going to live with her (have they physically separated)? Are the schools you applied to CSS schools or FAFSA only?

You’ll need to contact each school or look on the websites for the forms for an appeal and see what they ask for. Usually it is tax forms and w-2, some kind of proof of the change in circumstances (lay off notice, death notice, divorce documents) and some information on what the financial situation will be, which if you live with your mother her salary, child support, other income.

Your mom can ask.

Does your college guarantee to meet full need for all acceoted students?

Another thing she should consider is making sure there is something about college costs in her divorce settlement.

Really? Everyone in your town who makes $90k or less is in financial peril? I find that hard to believe. Sell the house and find less expensive accommodations. That will take care of the mortgage and tax problem.