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Technical complications on marrying before college?

My boyfriend and I are currently seniors in high school, and plan to get married the summer we graduate (2008), then go to college together. Instead of personal advice, I need factual information on a few questions.

1) I will not be 18 until June of 2008, so we cannot be married without parental consent until then. Do we need to be married at the time of our application to college, in order to be recognized as married students and qualify for family housing (instead of regular dorm rooms)? Will we be able to inform the college of our changed status after having been accepted?

2) What differences are there in having married status in the area of financial aid/scholarships? If we receive scholarships while we are unmarried, what does marriage do to our eligibility, if anything?

3) If accepted into college under my maiden name, what steps need to be taken to inform the college of the name change after marriage?

4) Are there any other technical difficulties we should be aware of?

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Married students are likely to get much more grants and financial aide, since they are independent of their parents, but this likely won’t affect you until your sophomore year, because your freshman year you are still supported by your parents when you apply for aide (in February). Fafsa is based on the previous tax year, so when you apply for aide you still have to put your parents info on, since you were their dependent during the last year. I would apply for financial aide, then file an appeal at your financial aide office, after you tie the knot, stating that your financial and martial status has changed. I did this when my mom lost her job in June, and I got more financial aide. You won’t lose any scholarships because you are married. You might lose need based aide, in the unlikely event that your husband makes significantly more than both your parents combined.

You can apply for a dorm, then get out of your contract when you can show a marriage license, and transfer to family housing. This is how it worked at my college. Your school might be different.

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marycatherine
When you first apply to college, you’re going to be considered a dependent of your parents/guardians. After you get married, you are considered independent. This will change financial aid, as you will not have your parents’ income to factor into everything.

You’re still in high school, I suggest talking to a guidance counselor in the fall. They have to help students apply every year, and I’m sure they know a bunch about FAFSA and aid.

If you know the school, give Residence Life a call. And call the Registrar/Admissions for the name change.

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Anonymous
This is going to be a tricky situation. I don’t know many of the answers. I guess you will eventually be filing FAFSA without having your parents’ information reported, since you won’t be a tax deduction.

I think most of these questions will have to be researched at what universities you are applying to.

Also, I don’t know if you will be expected to get an apartment instead of living on campus housing if you are going to be married.

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