College tuition rates?

Question

Let's face it, you can only afford college without debt if you are ridiculously poor, or rich (bottom or top 5%).

I think it is saddening that students, like myself, are doing everything they can to become poor so that their college is paid via tax, because their parents who make between $35000-$80000 can't afford it.

I'm getting married soon so that I can claim myself as not dependent from my family, list my income as around $6000 a year (I work summers and while at school) and therefore, be entitled to thousands of $$$ via tax money.

Is it just me or is this extremely saddening our country has come to this.

(If I am deemed needy enough, I can afford college through a PhD. If I am deemed able to take out $100,000 + loans, I struggle financially with a bachelors degree)

Answer 1

Folks who get married for this reason are often sady disappointed.  They assume they will automatically be "entitled to thousands" of free money just because they tied the knot.  

This is simply not always the case.  Don't assume you are going to get more money.  The only "guarantee" you'll have by getting married is that you will be eligilbe for more loans.  Not exactly a perk in my book.  

Plus, the school won't change your marital status once you get married if you have already filed your fafsa for next year (2008-2009).  You are stuck with your marital status as it was on the day you filled out your fafsa.  In other words, your change won't take effect until you do your 2009-2010 fafsa. (provided you are still married).  

If it were easy, everyone would do it and no one would need it.  

Hope it helps.... no suprises.