How Financial Coaching Can Increase Financial Aid for Divorced Mothers

As a Certified College Funding Specialist (CCFS) and the founder of The College Planning Mastery Program, Ive worked closely with countless divorced mothers navigating one of the most stressful seasons of their lives: figuring out how to pay for college. You want the best for your child, but youre also trying to protect your own financial future. And if youre like most of the women I work with, youve been told you make too much for aid but not enough to write a tuition check without dipping into your retirement.

Let me tell you: there is a better way.

Im here to show you how financial coaching, when done right, can not only help you secure more financial aid for divorced mothers, but also create a strategy that protects your long-term goals. You do not have to choose between your childs education and your future stability.

The Real Challenges Divorced Mothers Face in College Planning

Divorce changes everything, your household income, assets, and long-term financial goals. And when college enters the picture, it can feel like every decision you make is under a microscope.

You might be wondering:

• Whose income counts on the FAFSA?
  
  

• Does my ex have to contribute?
  
  

• Will my child get penalized if we own a home together?
  
  

• What happens if I remarry?
  
  

These are just a few of the common questions I hear every week. The truth is, the financial aid system isnt designed with divorced families in mind. Thats why so many moms feel stuck, confused, and overwhelmed.

But heres what I want you to know: when you understand how the system works and how to position your finances strategically, you can unlock aid you didnt know existed.

Financial Coaching Isn't Just Advice, Its Strategy

At Tracy Armstrong, CCFS, I dont offer generic advice. I offer strategic coaching tailored to the unique financial structure of divorced households. My process begins with a complimentary discovery call because its important that were the right fit. I only work with a limited number of families each year, those I know I can genuinely help.

If youre a divorced mother, heres how financial coaching through The College Planning Mastery Program can help you increase your aid eligibility and minimize your college costs:

1. Understanding Which Parent Files the FAFSA

This might surprise you, but FAFSA only requires financial information from one parent, the custodial parent. Thats not always the parent who claims the child on taxes. Its the parent with whom the child lived the most in the last 12 months.

As your coach, Ill help you evaluate this strategically. We look at both households and determine which financial profile will be most beneficial on the FAFSA. Even a minor change in household schedule could legally and ethically increase your aid eligibility by thousands.

2. Structuring Income & Assets the Right Way

Too often, I see mothers unintentionally over-reporting assets or structuring their savings in a way that actually reduces aid. The FAFSA and CSS Profile treat assets very differently, and financial coaching helps you understand which assets count, which dont, and how to legally position them to your advantage.

Whether you have a 529 plan, investment accounts, or home equity, well go through each line item and adjust your reporting strategy so it reflects your true need without hurting your aid potential.

3. Addressing Child Support & Alimony Impacts

Child support and alimony are both considered untaxed income, and yes, they count on the FAFSA. But most families dont realize how timing can affect aid. I help you explore when payments are received, how theyre reported, and what that means for each year of college.

These are the kinds of details that make a big difference. One small adjustment in how you structure your income streams could lead to significant increases in your childs aid eligibility.

4. Evaluating the Impact of Remarriage

If youve remarried or are considering remarriage before your child goes to college, well talk through it all, because it matters. Your new spouses income will be included on the FAFSA if you're married at the time of filing. That could reduce aid, even if your new household finances havent truly merged yet.

We go over all possible scenarios in coaching so you can make informed life decisions that support both your family and your financial future.

5. Avoiding Costly FAFSA & CSS Profile Mistakes

The forms are confusing. Ive seen strong, smart, capable women lose out on tens of thousands of dollars in aid because of simple, avoidable mistakes. Reporting the wrong parent, including the wrong assets, misunderstanding a question, all of these can jeopardize your chances.

My financial coaching includes detailed walkthroughs of FAFSA, the CSS Profile, and all supporting documents. Youll know what to report, what not to, and when to file to maximize your aid.

What You Gain from The College Planning Mastery Program

My program is built on four essential cornerstones: School Selection, Admission Strategy, Financial Aid Maximization, and Payment Planning. Each piece is critical, but for divorced mothers, the financial cornerstone is often the most overwhelming.

Heres what my clients gain from our coaching together:

• Clarity on which colleges offer the best aid packages for your situation
  
  

• Confidence in your FAFSA and CSS Profile filings
  
  

• Customized strategies to lower your out-of-pocket costs
  
  

• Protection of your retirement savings and future financial goals
  
  

• Peace of mind knowing that your childs education wont become your burden
  
  

And I dont just help you file the forms. I help you create a full plan, year by year, so you know what to expect, how much to contribute, and where to find additional resources if needed.

Financial Aid for Divorced Mothers Is Possible, With the Right Help

So many of the women I work with start out feeling like theyre alone in this process. Theyve heard "you earn too much," or "you wont qualify for aid," and theyve started to believe college just means debt.

But then they schedule that first call. We look at the numbers. We find opportunities. And we build a plan that works.

If youre a divorced mom worried about paying for college, this isnt a time for guesswork or quick tips from the internet. Its a time for strategy, for support, and for a plan that protects everything youve worked for.

Lets Build a Plan That Works for You

When youre ready to turn your questions into confidence, Im here. Well sit down, talk about your goals, your challenges, and your numbers, and well craft a college plan that doesnt jeopardize your future.

Because financial aid for divorced mothers is not just about the form, its about the future. And thats exactly what I help you protect.

If youre ready to get clarity and create a plan that makes sense for your family, schedule your complimentary consultation today. Id be honored to walk this journey with you.