FAFSA Aid for married/independent vs. dependent undergrads??

Paying for College
1

<p>I'm on a leave of absence and looking to transfer to a new school by next fall...I'm also engaged and wondering how marriage will affect my financial aid prospects.</p>

<p>My parents make a combined yearly income of ~80k (3 kids, 2 including myself are in school). I have been financially independent for a year and a half, with a yearly income of ~9k. My fiance's yearly income for 2011 will be ~10k (for 2012 he expects ~30k, but then plans on going to grad school).</p>

<p>Is the family income of a married couple considered similarly to the family income of child/student and her parents?</p>

<p>Will I still be eligible for aid such as the University of Chicago Odyssey Scholarship? (<a href="https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/costs/merit.shtml%5B/url%5D"&gt;https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/costs/merit.shtml&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;/p>

<p>Is it desirable to file fafsa as a married independent, or should we just remain engaged?</p>

<p>Thanks so much, I could really use more insight into the aid process.</p>

2

<p>I would suggest you use one of the online financial aid calculators and run the numbers both ways…independent using only yours and your “husband’s” income…then dependent using your parents. You will at least get a “guestimate” of what the differences are.</p>

<p>Remember too…if either of your parents are contributing to your finances as married folks, you MUST list that amount under “money paid on your behalf”…if indeed they are paying money on your behalf.</p>

<p>Did you get the Chicago Odessey Scholarship? If so, you might not want to mess around with your eligibility.</p>

3

<p>When are you getting married? If you file FAFSA next Spring and you’re single at that moment, then you have to file as dependent and your parents’ 2011 income will be included. If you are married by then, you file as married/independent and you and your spouse’s 2011 income will be used. You can’t change your married status later in the year.</p>