Divorce and Its Effect on College Students

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Children of divorce

The social and emotional effects of divorce on children are often discussed in reference to those in high school or younger. However, a divorce can have a very unsettling impact on college-age students who themselves are adults.

Away at School Does Not Mean Less Stress

It is difficult enough when children experience the divorce of their parents while everyone is living under the same roof. However, the anxiety and uncertainty can be magnified when a child learns of the divorce while living away at college.  Questions and issues about the divorce can compound a student’s anxiety about being away from home and the academic pressures of college life.

• The student left home that will have been dramatically altered the next time they return from school. It is not uncommon for the student to feel a sense of loss or not belonging to any one household after the parents split.
• When a divorce occurs after the student leaves for school they may question whether or not parents stayed together as long as they did just for them.
• A student may be bothered by questions about whether or not the divorce of their parents will have a negative effect on the ability to pay for school.
• Encourage your student(s) to seek help from campus healthcare professionals. Colleges and universities offer access to counselors who can help students deal with a variety of obstacles they may encounter during their time on campus, including a divorce of their parents taking place hundreds of miles away.

If one is looking to discover a silver lining in all this, there may be one in the form of financial relief for the college student. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) requires income information only from the custodial parent - the parent with whom the student resides more than 50 percent of the time. If the student lives with the parent who reports the lowest income, they may be entitled to more federal grant money with which to apply toward tuition, fees, and housing expenses.

Work with an Experienced and Resourceful DuPage County Divorce Attorney

The effects of a divorce send ripples throughout a family, frequently causing stress that has a negative impact on other areas of their life. Seek assistance from a knowledgeable Illinois divorce attorney who understands how divorce impacts every member of the family. The Law Offices of Matthew M. William, P.C., provide a thorough review of all relevant issues and create a strategy for delivering a favorable divorce decree with as little anxiety as possible. Contact our offices at 630-409-8184 to schedule an initial consultation.

Sources:

http://www.nova.edu/firstyear/forms/college_divorce.pdf

http://time.com/money/4218077/want-more-financial-aid-get-a-divorce/

https://www.thespruce.com/new-freshmen-divorce-importance-of-home-3570529