Filling out FASFA and getting Married?

Question

I want to fill out my FAFSA early enough so that I don't have to pay for my tuition out of pocket and then get reimbursed. However, I also am relying on receiving Pell Grant to pay for my rent. My problem is that as of today I am still considered a dependent, there for not eligible for Pell. But I am getting married on July 12, which would then make me independent and eligible. Should I wait and apply for FAFSA on July 12, or can I apply before then stating that I am married, since I will actually be when the money is handed out?

Answer 1

you can't say you're married until you are married.

and definitely send in the fafsa as soon as you can. if you send it in late, you lose out on money you could have gotten. trust me.

Answer 2

I would do it a couple days before you get married. This should still give you enough time.

Answer 3

You have to wait until you actually are married to claim that you are, so wait until July.

Answer 4

after........do you or dont you want money??????

Answer 5

You could do that but that may not guarantee that you will get a pell grant.  I am not sure of how they give the money out but they always told me that it is better to apply early before the money is  depleted.  

If your parents don't make a lot then you should still be able to qualify for a pell grant.  Otherwise you may do better to wait - in either case there is no guarantee.

When are you looking to start school?  August?  As I said I am not sure but my fin. aid office always tell me that the free money is the first thing to go.

Answer 6

You probably have to be married on the date you fill out the form, but check the instruction booklet for that specific question as it may instruct you to put your marital status as of the date of the beginning of the semester.  It the booklet does not address the issue, talk to a counselor in your financial aid office to see if the information should be filled out as of the date of application or as of the first day of school.

Answer 7

huh.....im 15...wat u talkin bout...

Answer 8

I would wait.  I'm assuming this is for the fall semester.  I think you fill it out as of the day you apply.  So fill it out as married, which means you may need to wait until July to do it.

Especially if you are not eligible now.  By the way, dependants can get pell grants, depending on how much the parents make.

Wait it out, it'll help.  (And newlyweds often get pells that will cover all of tuition, books, and a teeny bit extra.)

Answer 9

Your marital status is determined on the day you fill out the fafsa, if you read the question carefully it says, "As of today are you married?"  so if you want to be independent and not report the folks income then wait until after July 12th.

Be aware that as a married person, you will need to report your spouses income on the fafsa even though you didn't file your taxes together last year.  You simply combine your information (where appropriate like taxes paid, AGI, assets, EIC etc) as if you filed together.  

Also, I wouldn't "count your chickens before they hatch" yet.  Many kids assume that just because they are independent and not reporting parents income they will automatically qualify for Pell grants and this is often not the case.  I've seen kids actually loose the Pell after getting married, some who do qualify after marriage, and some who STILL aren't eligible for Pell even after getting married.

The only guarantee when filing as independent is you will be able to BORROW more money in student loans.  Not exactly something to cheer about.  The Max amount you can borrow as a freshman independent in Stafford loans is 7,500 a year as a freshman, 8,500 as a soph and 10,500 as a Jr and Sr.