College Planning After Divorce: Admissions and Financial Aid Explained | Episode 017
Guest: Vicki Vollweiler
TIPS
TOP TIPS FROM THIS EPISODE
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Top Tip #6: Students should be involved in the discussion.
College decisions are easier and more productive when students understand the financial realities and are part of the conversation, not shielded from it.Top Tip #5: FAFSA uses the parent who provides more financial support.
FAFSA no longer automatically looks at the custodial parent. What matters is which parent provides more financial support, and that determination should be made carefully and documented correctly.Top Tip #4: Many CSS Profile schools require information from both households.
Unlike FAFSA, the CSS Profile often asks for financial information from both parents, and sometimes stepparents as well. Families need to understand each school’s requirements and plan strategically.Top Tip #3: A common FAFSA mistake is combining income from divorced parents.
Only one household’s information should be reported on FAFSA. Combining incomes from two separate households can create serious errors and confusion.Top Tip #2: College fit includes the financial piece.
A strong college list balances academic, social, and financial fit. Affordability, scholarships, and aid generosity matter for every family, not just those navigating divorce.Top Tip #1: Communication is key.
College planning works best when parents approach it as a practical, student-centered conversation, focused on facts, clarity, and shared goals rather than emotion or past conflict.
EPISODE
Summary
Divorce adds real complexity to the college planning process, but it does not have to derail it. When families understand how admissions and financial aid rules actually work, and approach the process with structure and communication, clarity is possible.
In this episode of The College Talk Show, Chris Bell speaks with Vicki Vollweiler, founder of College Financial Prep and author of College Planning for Divorced and Widowed Parents, about how college planning unfolds when students are supported by more than one household. Together, they explore how the FAFSA and CSS Profile treat divorced and remarried parents, common mistakes families make, and how thoughtful planning can reduce stress while keeping the student at the center of the conversation.
The discussion also acknowledges the emotional side of the process. College planning after divorce is not just about forms and numbers, but about communication, expectations, and helping families move forward with confidence.
GUEST
About The Guest
Vicki Vollweiler is the founder of College Financial Prep, where she helps families make informed, strategic decisions about paying for college. She specializes in guiding parents through the financial aid process, with particular expertise in helping divorced and remarried families navigate FAFSA, the CSS Profile, and college affordability with clarity and confidence.
Vicki is especially known for her practical, compassionate approach to college planning—combining deep technical knowledge with an understanding of the emotional complexity families often face. As the author of College Planning for Divorced and Widowed Parents, she helps parents move past confusion and conflict, focus on the needs of the student, and approach college planning as a thoughtful, collaborative process.
Transcript
Episode: College Planning After Divorce: Admissions and Financial Aid Explained
Guest: Vicki Vollweiler
Host: Chris Bell
Opening Monologue
Chris Bell:
Divorce changes family logistics, but it doesn’t change how much parents care about their kids and their kids’ future.
When it comes to college planning, though, divorce does add extra layers. Two households. Two financial pictures. Sometimes two very different assumptions about how this is all supposed to work.
The financial side can get complicated fast. It’s a little like tax season times two—only with even more acronyms. FAFSA. CSS Profile. Need-based aid. Merit aid.
The good news is that it’s not all bad news. I’ve seen situations where a student who wouldn’t qualify for need-based aid with married parents actually becomes eligible after a divorce, depending on how finances are structured.
With clear communication and smart planning, families really can move from confusion to confidence.
Tonight, I’m talking with someone who helps families do exactly that—and who literally wrote the book on college planning for divorced parents. Let’s go.
Announcer Intro
It’s The College Talk Show.
Today’s theme: College Planning for Divorced Parents.
With special guest Vicki Vollweiler.
And now, here’s your host—Chris Bell.
Guest Introduction
Chris Bell:
My guest tonight is Vicki Vollweiler, founder of College Financial Prep and author of College Planning for Divorced and Widowed Parents. Vicki is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst with an MBA who helps families save money on the cost of college.
Vicki, thank you so much for joining me.
Vicki Vollweiler:
Thank you for having me. I’m glad to be here.
College Planning Challenges After Divorce
Chris Bell:
When parents are divorced or separated, what are the biggest college planning challenges you see?
Vicki Vollweiler:
A lot of it comes down to communication. Parents who are separated or divorced often have a hard time speaking with one another. College isn’t always written clearly into divorce agreements, and not every state even mandates college support.
Even though parents want what’s best for their children, they can still disagree on what that looks like.
Disagreements About Paying for College
Chris Bell:
What’s your advice when parents disagree about who should pay for what, and how much?
Vicki Vollweiler:
We try to bring everyone together and take the emotion out of it. The focus should be on the student’s needs and goals, while also being realistic about finances and retirement for the parents.
I also like to involve the student in the conversation. A lot of times students say, “I want to go to this $90,000-a-year college,” and they want to put down a deposit right away.
But after March, when actual financial aid offers come out, it’s much easier to have productive conversations. Real numbers are far easier to work with than hypotheticals.
FAFSA and Divorced Parents
Chris Bell:
FAFSA has changed in recent years. How does it now determine which parent’s information is used?
Vicki Vollweiler:
With the FAFSA Simplification Act, FAFSA now looks at the parent who provides more financial support for the student. It’s not automatically the custodial parent or the non-custodial parent.
Ideally, families look at the numbers, document support carefully, and determine which parent is best positioned for financial aid—ethically and correctly.
CSS Profile and Multiple Households
Chris Bell:
How does the CSS Profile handle divorced or remarried parents differently?
Vicki Vollweiler:
Not every school requires the CSS Profile, but many do—and a lot of them require information from both households.
That can mean both biological parents, and if they’re remarried, potentially financial information from four parents. Some schools only require one household, but there are fewer of those. Families really need to be strategic and understand each school’s requirements.
Common Financial Aid Mistakes
Chris Bell:
What are some common mistakes you see on financial aid forms?
Vicki Vollweiler:
One of the most common FAFSA mistakes is combining income from divorced parents. Families may have been living separately for years, but they’ll still total both incomes when only one household should be reported.
Financial Fit and the College List
Chris Bell:
How should parents approach financial planning, especially if they’re remarried?
Vicki Vollweiler:
The college list is key. I like to review the list from a financial perspective, in addition to academic and social fit.
Families should ask: What financial aid forms does the school require? How generous are they with merit scholarships? Will the student qualify?
Need-based aid and merit-based aid should both be considered when developing a college list.
About the Book and the Emotional Side
Chris Bell:
Your book is wonderful. Do you have a favorite section?
Vicki Vollweiler:
There’s a lot of practical guidance, but there’s also motivation and emotional support throughout the book. Divorce adds an extra layer of complication to college planning, and it creates a lot of stress.
Many parents feel like they’re in this alone—but they’re not. It’s not just about numbers. It’s about helping families communicate, remove emotion from the conversation, and treat college planning as a business discussion focused on facts and clarity.
Finding Vicki
Chris Bell:
If people want to learn more or find your book, where should they go?
Vicki Vollweiler:
They can visit my website at collegefinancialprep.com, and the book College Planning for Divorced and Widowed Parents is available on Amazon.
Sponsor Message
This episode is brought to you by Bell College Consulting.
Visit bellcollegeconsulting.com to learn more.
Top Tips: College Planning After Divorce
Chris Bell:
Before we wrap up, it’s time for the key takeaways from today’s conversation. I call it Top Tips.
Tip #6:
Students should be involved in the discussion.
Tip #5:
FAFSA uses the parent who provides more financial support.
Tip #4:
Many CSS Profile schools require information from both households, including remarried parents.
Tip #3:
A common FAFSA mistake is reporting combined income from divorced parents.
Tip #2:
College fit should include the financial piece. This applies to every family.
Tip #1:
Communication is key.
Closing
Chris Bell:
Thank you again to Vicki Vollweiler for her expertise and thoughtful conversation.
And remember—College is Awesome.