Given that your parents’ jobs and incomes have changed, why don’t you just ask your financial aid office for the Special Circumstance paperwork? That would allow them to base your aid package on your family’s current reality rather than on two year old data. You might even be able to get your aid package adjusted for this year based on the drop in family income.
Legal and tax stuff
You need at least two immigration lawyers. One in the US and one in Canada. If there is a chance that the two of you would decide to settle in Japan (assuming that the fiance is Japanese), then you need an immigration lawyer there too.
Even if he were to move to the US and live and work here after you marry, there is no particular reason for your future husband to plan on becoming a US citizen. Happydad was in legal permanent resident (green card) status for more than 20 years, and only naturalized when he needed to be a US citizen in order to take a job with a federal agency.
Back in the last century, non-citizen non-legal resident spouses who were not obligated to file the same income tax returns as a US citizen or legal resident spouse, had the option of formally agreeing to be taxed as though they had legal resident status so as to simplify joint tax returns. I don’t know if that has changed. Since US citizens are obligated to file US federal tax returns no matter where in the world they live, you should investigate this carefully.
there is no particular reason for your future husband to plan on becoming a US citizen.<<<<<<<<
You know, back in the day that was OK, in the current vindictive immigration climate, it is not so simple, for one, GC to citizenship is not a quick simple path in that the timeline is being stretched. GCs mean that overseas work might threaten reentry unless guidelines are followed, and some minor crimes may well result in revocation of a GC. Then you can add in interesting financial issues that affect GC holders. I would say that anyone who really wants to live in teh USA would get citizenship ASAP. Those who would be otherwise nonchalant probably have a good plan B. For sure not all GC holders want to be in the USA forever.
My niece’s husband (Canadian) doesn’t plan on becoming a US citizen. He’s 40, and I think it is a mistake. They own a home in Washington, he works in the US (and boy do they pay taxes), they travel internationally a lot so he travels on a Canadian passport and if he loses it or needs to replace it he always has to deal with an embassy/consulate. I just think he should become a US citizen and get the benefits of SS and voting.
@thumper1 - The OP wrote that she thought her Pell Grant might go up a bit if her aid were based on married income rather than parents’ income. Given that her parents’ incomes have dropped, it would be worth her time to ask about Special Circumstances. Maybe her Pell would be boosted a bit. And Special Circumstance paperwork could get started tomorrow which sure would be faster and easier than filing the FAFSA after getting married even if they were able to get married ASAP.