First of all…forget about YOUR tax filing status. It has nothing to do with financial aid.
Second…as a transfer student, what aid is he hoping to get from the college? Is this a college that guarantees to meet full need for all admitted transfer students?
Third…you say the it is “ridiculous for the Feds to put a kid in that position”. The ONLY need based aid the federal government has any hand in “saying” anything about is the Pell Grant. Will your son be eligible for that? It’s the colleges who don’t review financial aid for transfer students until the last thing. Transfer students are at the bottom of the food chain in most schools when it comes to need based institutional financial aid.
Fourth, three times you posted that the current school is reviewing his special circumstances consideration. That’s good…but remember, these are handled on a case by case basis. Does this current college meet full need for ALL accepted students?
Fifth, how much aid was he getting as a married student? How much does he NEED in order to attend this school? How much does he need to have in aid to transfer to a new school?
Sixth…how old is your son? If he waits until he is 24, he will be considered independent for financial aid purposes.
Seventh…maybe he should request a leave of absence until these finances can be sorted out.
And lastly…any chance there is a public college within commuting distance from your home where he could apply?
@kelsmom hat happens in terms of dependency when a student marries…and then divorces?