Anticipating marriage in the coming school year?

Beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year you may change your marital status on the FAFSA if your marital status changes before December 31st, 2012.  We strongly advise you to consider your options carefully before filing your FAFSA or making any changes.  If you have any questions you may contact your Financial Aid Counselor by calling 801-422-4104.

If you anticipate marriage between now and the end of the coming school year, consider the following points before submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):

1. Your eligibility for free federal Pell Grants and Subsidized Stafford Loans depends in large measure on how much financial need the FAFSA says you have.
2. Students who are independent according to the FAFSA definition do not report parental income on the FAFSA. Therefore, independent students frequently, but not always, appear to have more financial need and may be more likely to be eligible for grants and subsidized loans. (To determine your FAFSA dependency status, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and select Determine Your Dependency Status.)
3. If you are currently dependent and will become independent after your anticipated marriage in the coming school year, then we recommend that you carefully consider whether or not you should wait to file your FAFSA until after you are married.
4. To help you determine whether you should apply before or after your wedding, go to Step B at http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov. Supply the data first as if you are single, then as if you are married, and compare the estimated eligibility. Remember, the results of this exercise are simply estimates and do not constitute an application for aid. You will still be required to submit the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov in order to be considered for federal aid programs. If you wish to discuss your situation in more detail with a BYU Financial Aid Counselor before completing and filing your FAFSA, call 801-422-4104 to schedule an appointment.