Iron Maiden

I would like to preface this thread by stating that I would greatly appreciate it if we could keep the discussion to strictly financial aid. I am addressing the "should they", youth, ramifications issues on my own.

I have a strong suspicion that my DS is thinking about getting married. We adore the young woman, they are excellent for each other, and are very much in love.

Both will be 20 in a few months. My DS has a full scholarship and a work commitment that let's him save a couple hundred per month after expenses. We don't have to give him a dime. He owns his 2006 car free and clear. He is on my car and health insurance. They are both sophomores at the same state flagship.

GF moved to our state permanently this Fall. She came from a rough area and wanted a change plus wanted to be with DS. She is paying for school with a combo of small FA, loans in her name, and Plus loans (I know...). Almost had to drop out this Fall due to $ but managed. She is looking for a part-time job that will let her go to full-time during summers. DS works during the summer too. They both moved off-campus (separately at least in theory) to save $ this year. She is on her parents car and health insurance.

If they did get married next summer would they both automatically be declared independent for FA purposes even though we would have to help them with living expenses for a while? Probably more than 50% of expenses. No idea how her parents would react or if they would contribute.

I don't think FA is the primary driver for this and no she is not pregnant. If this comes to pass we are going to strongly discourage it until they graduate but we realize they are +18 and could elope. So we want to approach this with logical arguements with them rather than responding emotionally. They would obviously need their own health and car insurance.

But if they would not be declared FA independent because we would be helping them that would be a powerful arguement for us. So I am looking for a FA officer that could advise if a marriage automatically makes the couple FA independent or is it subject to support qualificationss? Or does it depend on school policy?

I've tried contacting the school FA dept but seem to never be able to get off hold. I should add that in this scenario they will not be physically living with either set of parents.

TIA!

thumper1

It depends when they get married. I believe they have to be married as of the date of the filing of the financial aid applications to be independent. I'm not exactly sure what the implications would be for the girl. How would she pay for college? Would she and your son plan to take out the amount in Plus loans? That would be very pricey. Does the school meet full financial need? If not, her financial aid situation could very well be exactly the same regardless of her independent status.

The health and car insurance will have to be in their names, I believe. I'm pretty sure that married folks can no longer be on their parents' health insurance plan. To be on the health insurance plan, you have to be a dependent on my plan...check yours. I don't know about the car insurance.

I would guess that your son will be ok as he has the financial aid for college. Will the girl's family still be willing to make some kind of contribution?

Iron Maiden

I'm sure their arguement will be that it will be easier for her to get FA since she gets virtually nothing now ( family is good income, high expenses). I had not thought of the timing issue though. They would have to be married by 12/31/09 to have it make a FA difference for Fall 2010.

I already have the health and car insurance as an argument but it was a good reminder -thanks!

thumper1

They may be in for a big surprise if the school does not guarantee to meet full need. She may not get an increase in financial aid AT ALL.

I'm hoping Kelsmom or Nikki will respond to this query. It's also my impression (not verifiable by me) that schools will look carefully at the applications of students who marry while students. They want to be sure this isn't the SOLE reason for the marriage...and also to see just who is supporting these folks. There IS a line on the financial aid forms to indicate how much you've received from others. That will have to be honestly completed.

swimcatsmom

For FAFSA being married on the date they file FAFSA would make them automatically independent for FA. I don't think they would have to be married by 12/31/09, just by the date they file FAFSA. There is no support element to be considered independent if they are married. I am not sure if any support provided by you would have to be reported on FAFSA though. It does not for a dependent student but I think may for an independent student.
Independent students don't necessarily rake in the big bucks FA wise. It will depend on their combined income. As a married couple both their incomes would be reported on each of their FAFSAs. Independent students do have slightly more income protection that dependent students but not a lot. For a married independent student where both are in college the current income protection is @ $7000 plus some allowances. Any income over the protected amounts 50% goes to the EFC. But the EFC would be divided between them which would reduce it. They are not eligible for the automatic 0 EFC even if their income is below $30,000 (an independent student must have a dependent other than a spouse to be eligible for the auto 0 EFC). For the main federal grant aid, the Pell, the EFC cut off for 2009-2010 was around 4617.

kelsmom

Where I work, the only thing we care about is that the student is actually married on the date he/she files the FAFSA. The income info has to include both spouses. Students may or may not get a "better" deal this way than if they were dependent. There is no Auto 0 for independent students without dependents, so sometimes students are not-so-happily surprised to see their post-marriage EFC.

I do know that some of the private schools will not consider a student independent for institutional aid purposes if he/she marries while in school. It would be worth checking with the school for their policy.

Iron Maiden

Thank you all, this is very helpful information. Hopefully they will wait a couple years.