Is it easier to get finacial aid when you are married?

[plastick]

I'm going to check into it more soon but I just wanted to ask people here who may already have had the experience... I want to continue on with college but havent really had enough money or any luck with fincial aid through the fafsa. I just got engaged too so I'll be getting married soon, and now I was wondering if anyone knows if you get better financial aid through the fafsa if you are married. We are both around the age of 24 and we dont have any kids, and we both make about 7.50/hr at our jobs.

thanks for the input

 

[jtvang125]

It will all depend on you and your wife's incomes. If you both make too much you probably won't qualify or if you do you'll get very little.

 

[Pantoot]

I was disqualified from any aid because of my parent's income. Once I got married I was able to apply based on my income.

They threw money at me.

 

[plastick]

Yeah, my parents made too much money also, even though they didnt have that much they were able to give me

 

[plastick]

anyone have more specific input?

 

[jhayx7]

Well, I had a 100% Pell Grant because my parents are very poor (even though I make great money I was still under 25). I just got married and now our income counts and I have not more Pell Grant money. Work pays for school now.

 

[Syringer]

No offense, but you guys are making a combined $15/hr and are going to get married?

 

[TheNinja]

I believe so, in fact I think it is the new #4 reason behind getting married, right behind

3. Have to b/c of kids
2. Ultimatum by the female
1. Actually wanting to

 

[plastick]

haha thanks Ninja. Well I love my gf and I dont want to be seperate from her while we go to college and stuff... its kind of complex i guess.. we are christians and we dont believe in living together before marriage etc... but anyway, i figure we can get financial aid and maybe get some good loans to finish college or something. just figured it would be better than not being married with no fin aid and trying to struggle through paying bills and working and school etc... ug life.

 

[jhayx7]

Originally posted by: Syringer
No offense, but you guys are making a combined $15/hr and are going to get married?

What is the problem? They will get a tax break if they do get hitched. Makes cents (pun intended)

 

[SoylentG]

As a caucasian, I got jacked, they threw a few pennies at me, with my 1600 SAT, and 8,000 personal income (at that time, i was just part timing in fast food). My parents own their own home...my mom's a secretary, and my dad works in a factory. Apparently, parents, though not legally required to help me pay for college (didn't), must have their financial information on the application. Then, my (now fiance) girlfriend (hispanic), whose parents own a farm, a restaurant, and were recently considering buying a Hummer H3 on a whim, 1150 SAT, lower GPA than myself, gets 80% of her college paid by financial aid. Of course, now if she gets her promotion at her job (she graduated last year), and I go back to school, I'll get jacked the first year because of my high income at my current job (dropped out of school because I couldn't afford it).

I don't know why, but financial aid does not like me. :/

 

[ebaycj]

If you were born before january 1, 1983 your parents income will not be considered.

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fafsaws67bw.pdf

see section 2. If you answer yes to any of those, your parents income will not be considered. These are your "loopholes". Use them.

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: SoylentG
As a caucasian, I got jacked, they threw a few pennies at me, with my 1600 SAT, and 8,000 personal income (at that time, i was just part timing in fast food). My parents own their own home...my mom's a secretary, and my dad works in a factory. Apparently, parents, though not legally required to help me pay for college (didn't), must have their financial information on the application. Then, my (now fiance) girlfriend (hispanic), whose parents own a farm, a restaurant, and were recently considering buying a Hummer H3 on a whim, 1150 SAT, lower GPA than myself, gets 80% of her college paid by financial aid. Of course, now if she gets her promotion at her job (she graduated last year), and I go back to school, I'll get jacked the first year because of my high income at my current job (dropped out of school because I couldn't afford it).

I don't know why, but financial aid does not like me. :/

Hummer H3's arent that nice.