<p>I'm currently finishing up my junior year. I have never applied for a FASFA because my parents make enough money that I knew I wouldn't be eligible for any grants. I also am currently on scholarship from my university.
I'm getting married in January (sweet!!), and it's my understanding that as soon as I'm married, I can no longer be considered a dependent, and my eligibility will be determined based on me and my wife's income.
I don't know how it all works, but from everything I've heard, here's what I understand. I'd love some clarification and correction where I'm wrong.</p>
<p>As of now, I haven't filed a FASFA ever. My fiance has every year, and every year receives Pell Grants since her family doesn't make much. She is also on full scholarship, so the grants help pay for her housing, food, etc.</p>
<p>After we get married in January, we'll both file a new fasfa for the 2014-2015 school year. We'll indicate that we're married, and we'll each state how much we've made in the previous year. It's a tiny, insignificant amount seeing as we both just work part time at school. Under $8,000 for the whole year.</p>
<p>I'll be eligible for grant money for the 2014-2015 school year, even though the tax information I'll be submitting will be from when I was a dependent.</p>
<p>I'm even more confused on this next part, so hold on. :-)
Apparently, the Pell grants can be retroactive, and the FASFA due date for 2013-2014 is due June 30th, 2014. If I file my 2013-2014 FASFA next year, AFTER I get married, will I be eligible to receive grant money for fall 2013 (this current semester) and winter 2014 (next semester)?</p>
<p>Lots of questions. Thanks so much for any help you can give!</p>
Spring as in the full next semester starting in January? (My school calls it Winter semester)
If so, then no. I have a scholarship that pays for my entire tuition. However, they would be capable of paying for it if I needed it. I’d probably have to do some serious begging though.
They haven’t paid for any actual tuition for my college career (Neither have I). However, I currently live at home and they pay for food and such. When I get married in January I’ll be moving out.</p>
<p>What I meant is that while you may qualify for Pell because that’s a federal grant, the school may not give you more grants (to help with room and board) because you got married while in college.</p>
<p>I don’t know which schools do this, but I do remember reading that some privates don’t give you more aid (their aid) because you got married during college.</p>
<p>How much will all of your living expenses be…do you have cars as well? Car insurance? Cell phone plan? Will you be covering those costs as well?</p>
<p>Contact the financial aid department at your school. Your federal aid will be determined by your FAFSA, but if your school uses the Profile, they MIGHT still require that even if you are married for their institutional need based aid (if you have any).</p>
<p>Re: the Pell for the spring semester…I’m not an expert, but if you are entitled to receive it, you will. However, you will only get one semester’s worth, I believe.</p>
<p>I’m pretty much just thinking of Pell. I doubt my school will give me any more need-based aid, seeing as they already pay my full tuition. But Pell grants would be awesome. That’s what I’m wondering about.</p>
<p>I know that my school asks that you tell them and update your information if you get married during school. I don’t know if they’d give me extra aid just for getting married though; my school probably has one of the highest percentages of married students ever.</p>
<p>We haven’t made a budget yet for living expenses, we’re working on it. We’ll have one car. Obviously we’ll want to pay for all of our expenses. ;-)</p>
<p>Even with both you and your husband receiving full pell grants, it will not be enough money for the 2 of your to set up a household and live off campus. How will you make up the difference? It will not be a good idea to start off your married life having massive loans</p>
<p>When you say that you have a scholarship that pays for your “entire tuition” do you mean for tuition only? </p>
<p>how do you pay for: room, board, transportation, car, gas, car insurance, medical expenses, cell phone, clothing, misc? </p>
<p>If you’ve been commuting from home and your parents have been paying for car insurance, food, cell phone, etc, then those will be new expenses for you and won’t be cheap.</p>
<p>I would have thought that figuring out if you can afford to be married (with a budget) would have occurred BEFORE the proposal and wedding date set. You’ve got a little over a month to figure out if this is even affordable. </p>
<p>You and your fiancee (two e’s…she’s a girl) only earn $8k total. I hope you both plan on getting full time jobs in the summer and really bump that up! You’re going to need it.</p>
<p>I think you need both need to visit the financial aid office BEFORE they close for Christmas holiday. Ask them all the questions asked here. You both should also confirm all your aid, federal and institutional both for winter/spring and possibly see if they will do an early estimation of your aid for fall 2014.</p>
But Pell grants would be awesome. That’s what I’m wondering about.</p>