<p>(At the end of this post is a fin aid question)
I just had a conversation with my mom over the phone and she told me that she will get married IN TWO DAYS.
Well, my parents are divorced and I live with my dad. My dad will support me financially as good as he can, but that the amount is still far from the total cost of attendance at any university. My mother is attending college right now herself (first-time undergraduate) and has a hard time making her living, so she cannot contribute to my education at all. All the colleges I am applying to require that both my parents (custodial and non-custodial) file an Fin Aid Application. That has not been a problem so far.
BUT: now my mother wants to get married to a guy she hardly knows (the only reason being that he agreed to give her the money that he saves from income taxes because of the marriage so that she can go to college). That guy earns a decent amount of money so TECHNICALLY he would have to contribute around $15.000 a year (according to the expected family contribution calculator at collegeboard.com). But of course I won't get that money. And I won't get around telling the colleges about the marriage, but it will screw my fin aid package.
Does that mean I won't be able to attend a college in the US?????</p>
<p>I don't think any of us can answer that question... ask the colleges!</p>
<p>I know.... Unfortunately, I have already asked them some time ago (what if - question) and I know the answer. And that's so stupid.........
I guess I have to say goodbye to you guys...</p>
<p>Maybe you can start applying to colleges where you can get merit scholarships.</p>
<p>Also technically it's your parents who're supposed to contribute, right, not the parents' spouses? Your mother's new husband might be terribly rich and all that, but that's his income not hers and he is not your parent. Isn't it supposed to work that way?</p>
<p>Please don't feel downhearted, try to see if there is a solution to this.</p>
<p>Dude, lighten up!! You know you're not being serious. Money cannot be the reason for forsaking your dreams.</p>
<p>I hope what NBZ said is right. It certainly seems logical. I feel the same way Duygu feels, lighten up, financial aid is out of your control. Apply to colleges and you never know what comes along your way. Everything happens for the best. Thats what I believe. </p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>better not tell the financial aid officers about the new to be marriage at all. In the " international student financial aid application" u can mention that your parents are divorced and then show how much you can contribute from your father's side.</p>
<p>if all goes fine, you will still be able to get aid</p>
<p>OP- bear in mind that if you apply to several colleges, you will have several finaid packages to choose from in the end. You can explain to them your situation and believe me- i've heard of alot of people with finaid problems whos parents are divorced and generally they will adjust your finaid packages to suit your needs. </p>
<p>Alot of my friends here also come from divorced families and many also dreaded about finaid. Like you, their EFC was too much but once they explained their situation to the college, things were sorted out.</p>
<p>moral of the story: relax and have a bit of faith</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>