Good evening!
Okay - the world feels like _____ right now. I get that. Hold on a second and let’s turn that anger somewhere useful.
First, Reply #11 above, is almost too much to read - but I’ve read it carefully and it is full of great info. Can you take it apart in pieces? It is worth the effort.
Second, if you defer a year the colleges will almost certainly defer their financial aid offers. You need to call them and explain… they are just real people trying to find best matches for kids and colleges… treat them like a friend and they will be. To be clear, you’d have to re-submit for financial aid, but the colleges can explain if they see any reason that those aid packages would not come through.
Third, congrats on the ACT score and pushing yourself on the academics. Be proud of that - don’t forget you did that. Congrats at your acceptances. Seriously.
Fourth, do you have any other family members you could live with for a while? Sometimes, it just helps to get some distance to work all this through. Not saying to move out, just a little time to heal… and to realize your parents wish they could do more.
Fifth, the way that financial aid works, and guessing a little - I doubt that the 2015 and 2016 income difference is enough to really matter. Don’t let that news from the tax attorney stop you.
Sixth, do you have a teacher or counselor at school willing to work with you to call these colleges? And / or, can you drive to talk to the admission officers (I realize it’s quite a drive in some cases). If you meet them, present yourself well, that personal connection can sometimes really matter. Whether you figure it out for this year, or need to defer - the personal connection will help. (But not if you are so angry you can’t keep it positive - if so, don’t visit.). If you do go - call ahead, make sure you have an appointment.
Seventh - go yell and scream at the world a bit, but don’t stop now - sounds trite, but you’ve done a lot to get here. If you do have to defer it sounds like a future closing - but it is not. It is only a year - just don’t give up your plans because they will get you on a different, more productive path for the rest of your life. It will be easier to walk away. Don’t. Choose not to. Stay on path.
Finally, I have a nephew who had little options but to join the military - turned out the best thing for him… he got some great training, got a lot of education paid for, is now a private contactor for the military making more than I do… loves his work and loves the travel.
Keep us up to date on your progress. Okay?