Do You Get More FAFSA Money If You’re Married?
I remember when I was filling out my FAFSA for the first time, I was so confused about how to answer the question about my marital status. I wasn’t sure if being married would affect how much financial aid I would receive. After doing some research, I found out that being married does affect your FAFSA, but it’s not always a bad thing.
In this blog post, I’ll explain how being married affects your FAFSA and provide some tips for getting the most financial aid possible. I’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about FAFSA and marriage.
Your Marital Status and FAFSA
When you fill out your FAFSA, you’ll be asked to provide your marital status. You have three options: single, married, or widowed.
If you’re married, you’ll need to provide information about your spouse’s income and assets. This information will be used to determine your expected family contribution (EFC). Your EFC is the amount of money that your family is expected to contribute towards your college education. The lower your EFC, the more financial aid you’ll be eligible for.
How Being Married Can Affect Your FAFSA
Being married can affect your FAFSA in two ways:
- Your EFC may be higher. This is because your spouse’s income and assets will be counted when calculating your EFC. So if your spouse has a high income, your EFC will be higher and you’ll be eligible for less financial aid.
- You may be eligible for additional financial aid. There are some financial aid programs that are only available to married students. For example, the Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant that is available to low-income students. If you’re married, you may be eligible for a higher Pell Grant award than you would be if you were single.
Tips for Getting the Most Financial Aid Possible
If you’re married and filling out your FAFSA, here are a few tips for getting the most financial aid possible:
- File your FAFSA on time. The FAFSA deadline is June 30th, but it’s best to file as early as possible. This will give you the best chance of getting the most financial aid.
- Complete your FAFSA accurately. Make sure to answer all of the questions on the FAFSA honestly and completely. If you make a mistake, it could delay your financial aid or even cause you to lose eligibility.
- Report all of your income and assets. When you fill out your FAFSA, you need to report all of your income and assets, as well as your spouse’s income and assets. If you don’t report all of your income and assets, it could result in your EFC being higher than it should be and you receiving less financial aid.
Frequently Asked Questions About FAFSA and Marriage
Here are some frequently asked questions about FAFSA and marriage:
- Q: Do I have to file my FAFSA jointly with my spouse?
A: No, you do not have to file your FAFSA jointly with your spouse. However, if you do file jointly, your spouse’s income and assets will be counted when calculating your EFC. - Q: What if my spouse is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident?
A: If your spouse is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you can still file your FAFSA. However, your spouse’s income and assets will not be counted when calculating your EFC. - Q: I am married, but I am not living with my spouse. Can I still file my FAFSA as a single parent?
A: Yes, you can file your FAFSA as a single parent if you are married but not living with your spouse. To do this, you must meet certain criteria, such as having a child who lives with you and being responsible for the majority of the child’s care.
Conclusion
I hope this blog post has helped you understand how being married affects your FAFSA. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your financial aid office.
Is this topic interesting to you?
