<p>Mombot it's not really the availability of aid that has enabled colleges to increase tuition, it's really the (past) easy availability of loans. The rapid rise in college tuition has been financed in part by the crushing debt taken on by the middle class. Student loans are the only loans in the country that cannot be discharged by bankruptcy. The predatory lending practices of the student loan industry have resulted in the most profitable, uncompetitive, and oppressive type of debt in American history.</p>
<p>Google "Sallie Mae" and fraud - here's a sample of what you'll find:</p>
<p>It's also the fact that increasingly, parents and students want name-brand degrees and are willing to pay top dollar for a top-drawer sheepskin.</p>
<p>Them's the rules! I don't feel as cavalier as the statement, but, really the rules are and have been in place for a while. THere are many, many unfair, inconsistent features about FAFSA and any financial aid process. </p>
<p>I'm interested in which schools the OP's kids are eyeing. You do realize that even if you had a zero EFC before you married, that would give your kids the PELL grant which is not quite $5k? The only other guaranteed goodie would be subsidized interest on the Stafford loans. I am not putting my nose up to that money as it is a life boat to many students who are taking courses at in state schools, but it is really a drop in the bucket if you are looking at private schools or if going away to college is what is in the plans. Most FAFSA only schools do not have the endowments to give full aid so there are only a few rare possibilities that your kid is missing out on a lot of money.</p>
<p>If your new husband is indeed making a good salary, and the two of you are comfortable, I think it is a worthwhile investment of the $5K per year and paying the interest on the Stafford. You're still better off than if you were struggling as a single parent to pay the all of the costs of living even though you get a some money for college. </p>
<p>I know a family whose kids did get the PELL, state and subsidized loan money even with the father being a high paid, well to doctor. He was not the custodial parent so his wealth was not relevant to FAFSA so any governmental monies that used that form as the screening app was available to those kids. That's the way the rules worked. They did not get a dime from any colleges that used PROFILE or their own apps as the non custodial parent's financial situation would have been taken into consideration, nullifying any financial aid scenarios. That's the way the system is.</p>
<p>CPTOFTHEHOUSE--Great answer. Thank you. This is my first out of three to be able to (or want to) go to college and I believe it was overwhelming me. She was accepted to the Cal State program and the tuition for residents is much less than I imagined. I think I can do this with a little help! I didn't like the other's suggestion to get an annulment. We haven't even been married a year! Funny suggestion..anyway on another note, I recently was getting an eyeglass adjustment and mentioned to the gal the FAFSA issue. She pulled me aside and said "Honey, I have a way to get full assistance and nobody will ever be able to prove differently that your child does not qualify". I don't want to say her method on this forum because some dishonest people could use it but I need to tell you, I was shocked. This is fraud in a big way. She said all her friends have gotten their children college money this way. WOW...and the truly deserving cannot get help. Kinda makes ya wonder what their kids are learning from this, eh?</p>
<p>There is cheating in every situation. The college financial aid scene is no different. I can tell you that we are stretching to pay our third child's private schools costs. We are paying for his a portion of his unsubsidized Stafford, including the interest accruing as the interest is cheaper than that of the PLUS that we can get. We are also borrowing from PLUS as well as paying out of income and some savings. S also has to bite the bullet as he is taking out loans, working and had been working in high school, so has tapped his savings. He will be working hard this summer to make as much as he can to reduce the amount of loans we have to take.</p>
<p>Although living together does not mean you are considered married for tax or other government purposes, if you get an annullment or separate the same year you are going for financial aid or other program where it is beneficial to have that change in status, you are going to get a thorough looky see that will be a pain in the neck. </p>
<p>Many of us, myself included would be better off in tax situations if we filed for separation. In our case, we could split the kids as exemptions and each get a great tax break. If H gave me only enough in support to meet PELL standards. we would get about $5k per kid in college plus subsidized Stafford loans. The same would apply to many married couples.</p>