Financial aid loophole...maybe? some help please?! :)?

Question

how do they conferm marriage? or do they even. i live in texas where common law mariage is valid i guess you could call it. should i or could i put married so i can use my own tax information? and if i get questioned say i thought common law marriage was accepted.? (i do have a bf that ive been with forever and do live with him so im not lying) if you didnt read my other question. the details are... im 21. dont live with my parens. work, and pay bills but not considered "independent" because im not married, have kids, or in the military. gosh it really seems like im being punished for being a smart girl. if i had kids id be independent? what kinda BS is that. ok well if you can, help.

Answer 1

I have seen common law marriages accepted in Texas college fin aid offices.  

HOWEVER, it was done with students who

1. filed their taxes jointly as married and

2. had all the couples kids claimed on their taxes (which read, "married filing jointly"... even though their last names were different on the tax forms)

It prob helped they had the kids with them in the fin aid office when they were asked about it.  Also, the students were invariably already over the age of 24 so her dependency wasn't an issue.

You can try, but I doubt it'll work.  Yes, they DO check it.  I had one come back as an error because the guy WAS married and accidental FORGOT!  (How can you forget you are married? lol) anyway, FAFSA caught it.

You aren't going to be able to be considered independent for "shacking up".  Sorry.

Anyone can get fin aid regardless of parents income.  No one is being punished.  Many think that by excluding parents income they will all of a sudden qualify for all kinds of free money, and this is simply not usually the case.  If your hubby works full time and earns enough to support himself and you, chances are you still won't qualify for the free money.