Do you get more in grants if you're married and both people are attending college?

Question

I'm getting married in three weeks and was wondering. Hopefully it won't be reduced.

Answer 1

When you complete the FAFSA, your answers are plugged into a formula to determine the amount of money the federal government believes you should be able to contribute toward your educational expenses.  The difference between a student's educational costs and that number is used to determine his or her financial need...the amount  of financial aid for which they may be eligible.

If two people in a family are attending college at the same time, the expected financial contribution is divided between them (reducing it by half for each).  If 3, 4 or more family members are enrolled simultaneously, the expected contribution is divided evenly between them (reducing the amount for each).

The bottom line is that the more people in a family attending college at once, the higher the likelihood of each receiving increased aid.

However, every family's situation may be different.

Answer 2

If you already filed your FAFSA for the year you are attending then getting married will not change your figures for that year.  It will impact the next academic year when you re-apply for the FAFSA.

Sometimes it will cause you to receive more aid.  It depends on how much income you both earn together during the year.  Both being in college will help offset the numbers though.

Answer 3

I found that to be true. But it isn't necessarily the case. The grants are based on the FAFSA. So technically, if your income increases more than your need you may get less. But if the opposite it true, then you may get more.