College Financial Prep

06/16/2026

❓Will my ex's income affect my child's financial aid?

It's one of the most common questions separated and divorced parents ask me...and the answer isn't always straightforward.

When it comes to college planning, divorced, separated and remarried families often face a different set of rules than they expect. Understanding those rules early can help families make more informed decisions about college affordability, financial aid, scholarships, and student loans.

I recently joined the Divorce Happens Podcast, hosted by Olivia Howell with Fresh Starts Registry to discuss:

🎓 How divorce impacts financial aid eligibility
🎓 FAFSA and CSS Profile requirements
🎓 What happens when one parent is less involved in the college planning process
🎓 Strategies to maximize aid and reduce college costs
🎓 Ways families can avoid unnecessary debt while helping their children pursue their educational goals

Whether your planning for your divorce agreement or your child is already preparing to apply to college, the earlier you understand the financial side of the process, the more options you'll have.

Thank you to Fresh Starts Registry and the Divorce Happens Podcast for the opportunity to have this important conversation.

🎙 Listen here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-you-need-to-know-about-college-planning/id1750848914?i=1000771708637

If you're a divorced parent, what's your biggest question about paying for college? I'd love to hear it.

Podcast Episode · Divorce Happens · June 8 · 15m

06/09/2026

💰 Just because a family has a high income doesn't mean college feels affordable.

Many families are surprised when colleges expect them to pay far more than what feels realistic based on their actual monthly expenses, debt, savings goals, and other financial obligations.

The good news? There may be ways to reduce costs, maximize merit aid, appeal when appropriate, and create a smarter college funding strategy.

🎓 Don't assume you'll have to pay full price. Don't assume you'll qualify for aid either.

Every family's situation is different.

📞 Curious what college might really cost your family? Schedule a strategy session and let's explore your options before applications and financial aid forms are submitted.

👉 www.CollegeFinancialPrep.com

Question: What's your biggest concern about paying for college right now? Share below. ⬇️

06/05/2026

This Sunday, June 7, join in for a FREE workshop, "How To Save Money and Reduce Stress When Planning For College."

Reserve your spot today at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/POTUUhEGQq2qYnmr_MYTWA

Live Q&A is welcome!
Sunday, June 7; 7pm ET; 4pm PT
Replay available for all who registered

This workshop is designed for parents of all high school students where we'll discuss practical strategies for both the financial and emotional sides of the college planning journey.

06/05/2026

🎓 Parents… college planning is known to be both financially and emotionally stressful. It can be very overwhelming when navigating two households, financial aid, communication challenges, and uncertainty about who pays for what.

You are not alone. 💙

Join me and Melissa Schwartzman for a FREE live workshop:
How To Save Money & Reduce Stress When Preparing For College

This is a general college planning workshop for all parents, but we’ll also touch on concerns many divorced and separated families face during the process.

We’ll discuss:
✔️ Saving money on college
✔️ Financial aid & common mistakes
✔️ Parent/teen stress & communication
✔️ Student loans & overlooked planning strategies
✔️ Creating a balanced college list
✔️ Live Q&A

📅 Sunday, June 7, 2026
⏰ 7 PM ET | 4 PM PT
💻 Live on Zoom
🎥 Replay available if you register

Reserve your free spot here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/POTUUhEGQq2qYnmr_MYTWA

Fresh Starts Registry, Divorce Support Network & Registry

05/27/2026

College planning can feel exciting… but also stressful, emotional and VERY expensive. 🎓

Join me, Vicki Vollweiler of , along with Melissa Schwartzman of , for a FREE live workshop on Sunday, June 7:

"How To Save Money and Reduce Stress When Planning For College"
Reserve your spot today at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/POTUUhEGQq2qYnmr_MYTWA

We’ll discuss:
✔️ Saving money on college
✔️ Financial aid & planning strategies
✔️ Reducing stress & overwhelm for both parents & students
✔️ Developing healthier parent-child communication
✔️ Creating a balanced college list

Live Q&A is welcome!
📅 Sunday, June 7
⏰ 7pm EST | 4pm PST
🎥 Replay available for all who register

This workshop is designed for parents of ALL high school students where we’ll discuss practical strategies for both the financial and emotional sides of the college planning journey.

To learn more about our work, visit:
www.CollegeFinancialPrep.com
www.MelissaBethCounseling.com

05/14/2026

Something that I notice quite often with parents who are planning for college...

They don't always realize that the students typically can only take out $5,500 in student loans for Freshman year ($6,500 for Sophomore year and $7,500 for both Junior and Senior years.)

If you might need to borrow money to help pay for college, please consider this as you move forward with college planning and list development. College Financial Prep can help!

Visit: www.CollegeFinancialPrep.com and download our free college planning timeline.

05/09/2026

Whether you’re a mom or celebrating a mom this weekend, wishing you and your family a very happy Mother’s Day 💛

As a mom of an 11th grader myself, I’m right in it with many of you… college visits, conversations about the future, and planning for college costs.

I hope you’re able to slow down and enjoy the weekend. This time with our children goes by quickly.

www.CollegeFinancialPrep.com

05/08/2026

If your child is in 10th or 11th grade, this is the part most families don’t realize…

The biggest opportunities to save money on the cost of college happen before senior year.

Not when FAFSA opens
Not when acceptances arrive
Not when the bill shows up

But now.

This is when we:
✔ Build a financially smart college list
✔ Project real costs (not sticker price)
✔ Plan ahead for financial aid

I’ve seen families save tens (and sometimes hundreds) of thousands of dollars just by making better decisions earlier.

If you’re not sure where to start, you’re not alone.

Download your free College Planning Timeline to see exactly what to do and when:
https://www.collegefinancialprep.com/the-college-financial-prep-strategic-timeline

College Financial Prep is here to help. www.CollegeFinancialPrep.com

05/07/2026

I just don’t want to mess this up.”

I hear this from parents all the time.

Especially when:

You’re trying to make the right financial decisions
You’re navigating this for the first time
Or you’re doing it while managing a separation or divorce

Because college planning isn’t just about forms and deadlines.

It’s:
How do we afford this?
Are we making the right choices?
What if we miss something important?

You don’t have to have it all figured out right now.

You just need a plan.

Start here with a simple roadmap from College Financial Prep:
https://www.collegefinancialprep.com/the-college-financial-prep-strategic-timeline

05/06/2026

🌮 Cinco de Mayo Reality Check 🎓

Tacos: $20
College: $200,000 😳

Good news?
You can control these costs a lot more than you think.

If your child is in 10th or 11th grade, this is your moment.

The difference between:
😬 “How are we paying for this?!”
and
😌 “We have a plan.”

…starts now.

So yes — enjoy the tacos 🌮
Have the margarita 🍹

But don’t wait until senior year to figure out the rest.

Start here (it’s free):
https://www.collegefinancialprep.com/the-college-financial-prep-strategic-timeline