Does being married effect Financial aid for college?

I have heard that when you are married you get more financial aid. Especially not having a good job will mean you cant contribute as much to school so you should get more grants.

Also you get a bigger tax refund when your married and in school.

Im in Canada so im not much help.sorry

Hm, I *think* if you're both students with no major income it wouldn't effect need based aid. It definitely won't effect loans, I already asked FAFSA (loan offers don't change with marital status). We're both graduate students so we're no longer offered aid unfortunately. I would call FAFSA. They're very helpful.

Here's the #: 1‑800‑433‑3243 (8am-12am Eastern time)

I hope so, that would be nice! I have heard the opposite as well. Thats nice to know about the tax refund though! As an independent student at a state university federal pell grants dont even cover half my tuition as is

Thanks M M. I have a hard time trusting financial aid reps but Im hoping if I can get an answer from enough people it might give us a pretty good idea.

No problem. I don't trust my school's financial aid reps, but FAFSA has always given me accurate information. It may be hard for them to give you definitive answers though since aid considers so many factors (if you don't have a job yet, you have no way of knowing your combined future income for example). I would think that if one of you has a decent paying job, your aid would be reduced. GL

From what I have investigated and have been told is that once you get married you combine your taxes so it's based on tax info. The only way you will get more is if you are a single parent. Your aid will be reduced if combined you guys make too much.

I've heard the same as MM and Emily. Grants may change with marital status, depending on your combined income. I've also heard that graduate students aren't offered grants, just loans, in case you aren't aware.

Im not much help

Desert Bride- Is that for Married graduate students or just graduate students in general regarding not being given grants?Funding for education is very limited as s

My understanding is all grad students. My advice would be to apply to schools that offer internal funding (scholarships/teaching assistantships/research assistantships, etc) or apply for external funding this upcoming fall (NSF graduate research fellowship, etc). Despite your distrust, I think you should call FAFSA like MM recommended. You can always call them multiple times to see if they give you the same information.

Thanks, I'll call fafsa for sure. Good advice thanks desert bride

Please do not believe the tax refund is bigger. Mine actually went down significantly due to getting married. I have not turned in my new tax return yet to FASFA so I don't know how it will effect my aid.

Marriage will usually have a positive impact on your financial aid eligibility if you are under 24 years of age and your spouse does not have high income. This is because you can then claim independent status and your parents' income and assets will not be considered in your financial aid calculations. Your spouse's income, however, will be considered.

Hello. In case anyone stumbles on this looking for answers (like I did), the answer is that your new husband's income is automatically factored in with yours in calculating your financial aid. If he's also a student, then it's probably not an issue, but if he has a full-time job, then his income will likely lower your financial aid offer. However, each offer is individual and decided on by your school's financial aid office.

...might seriously wait to get legally hitched because of this!