Parents just announced divorce, what to do?

<p>The decisions will be out in a couple of weeks and my parents are getting a divorce. I can barely believe the situation I’m in at the moment is real. It just can’t sink in. It’s perfect timing. I’m about to go off to study and be happy and I get this! I don’t mean to be…well, mean. I mean I just can’t think about morality and ethics when my dad decides to run off to some other family, or woman or whatever NOW. I’m speechless. I don’t want to dwell on the whole situation now cause it’s all I’ve been thinking about for the last week and I’m shattered and sick of it I’m not sure what to do. The question is, do I report this right away, or do I wait till March 31 to get all FA decisions and then make a plea to the FA office…? I’m just so worried and ****ed and angry and I really don’t know what do!!</p>

<p>The chances are slim that any of you might have a similar situation (in fact I sincerely hope nobody does, cause even being as cynical as I am I can’t possibly wish such a fate to anybody)(plus I'm international), but I really need some opinions.
Thanks.
Oh and sorry for the personal stuff.</p>

<p>So sorry for your situation. Be patient and the really knowledgeable people here will have a good answer for you very soon. Sorry I don’t, but I can offer support and encouragement in what is a stressful time under the best of circumstances. I’m so sorry your parents decision is making it even harder for you. Take care.</p>

<p>Your parents probably hung on until you finished school. They waited until college apps and mid-term grades were done. </p>

<p>Have you asked your parents how this will affect you financially? It could be that they have an agreement in place as to how college costs will be handled. Ask.</p>

<p>FAFSA is based on parent with custody - but because yours in an “about to be divorced/separated” but with no legal documentation in hand, your FA situation, from the college’s prospective, has not changed. CSS profile pulls in info on both parents, no matter their legal marital status. It might change in future years, depending on how quickly legal action is completed. But for this year, there would be no change from the FAFSA/CSS standpoint.</p>

<p>As an international student who thinks he is about to become a financial vagabond, I might not want to tell the college anything - it could affect admission. Colleges (and the INS) aren’t really thrilled with the prospect to having an international student stranded with no money in the US. You might want to put up your “I’m a great prospect” face for the time being. </p>

<p>Be sure that your parents know that you are worried about the financial ramifications, and say that you would really appreciate if their separation or divorce agreement (legally binding) specifies exactly who is responsible for paying what. I know of one parent who asked that all four years of tuition be stashed in a trust with a third party administrator in the country of the college before hubby went off with new wife. </p>

<p>Your parents may be getting a divorce, but that does not mean that they are divorcing you. Don’t freak out; ask questions.</p>

<p>i would agree with toadstool… i don’t really understand why some guys here tell you to email schools asap - IMO this could hurt you, coz it’s not the beginning of this review process, it’s the very end of it, and all the decisions have probably been made (not released though). i suggest that you just confront those schools that will accept you with a fact that because of the situation you are in now you will need more aid. show them that you care, explain that you even managed to find a job (in times of global economic crisis, you know =P), etc
but really, here you need an opinion of someone better informed about all this, so lets see what our mr. caplan has to say… keep your chin up… :)</p>

<p>‘confront’ - I like your word choice:)
Yeah, I just have to make it clear first with my parents and then call mr C up and see what he has to say. Thanks Elvy:)</p>