Is college cheaper when you are married?
Asked by: Johann Schinner I | Last update: August 31, 2025Score: 5/5 (2 votes)
Getting married doesn't necessarily hurt or help your financial aid eligibility—it can really go either way. In some cases, married students could get more aid than they would if they were single. In other cases, it's just the opposite! This is due to the complex nature of financial aid award eligibility.
Is college cheaper if you are married?
No, it cost the same for each student. There is no discount on a degree because you chose to be married, or many people would do it just to save money. The idea that 2 people can live cheaper than one is false.
What benefits do you get in college if you're married?
Your financial aid eligibility might be improved by marriage if: You're under 24 years of age, and you or your spouse don't have a high income. You'll be considered an independent student. Therefore, only your and your spouse's income is considered for financial aid eligibility.
Do I get more financial aid if I'm married?
None. FAFSA is an application, not a source of funds. Being married adds nothing to the aid package. It simply adds the spousal resources and expenses into the equation. If both people are students then each would complete the FAFSA and receive separate consideration for aid.
Is it better financially to get married or stay single?
Marriage also seems to provide financial benefits: household income of married adults is about 40% higher than unmarried adults (no doubt because more married households have dual incomes, and it's cheaper for two people to live together than apart).
Why You Should Get Married in College
Are there financial downsides to getting married?
The cons: Marriage could expose you to each other's creditors, insurance risks (health care, home, and auto), higher income tax rates, and long-term care costs. Marriage could make you financially responsible for your spouse's dependent children.
What is the tax break for being married?
Married couples filing jointly may qualify for several tax credits they would not have if they filed separately, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, and American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Education Tax Credits.
How much money do you get if you get married in college?
For married students, eligibility for the Pell grant will be determined by the combined income and assets of the applying student and their spouse. Award amounts are determined by financial need, cost of attendance, and the applicant's status as a full or part time student. The maximum annual award allowance is $5,500.
What is the income limit for FAFSA?
There is no income cut-off to qualify for federal student aid. Many factors—such as the size of your family and your year in school—are considered.
Does being married affect student loans?
Generally, whenever we use joint income to calculate your payment amount, we consider your spouse's federal student loan debt and prorate your payment based on your share of the combined federal student loan debt.
Will FAFSA know if I'm married?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form asks for your marital status as of the day you fill it out, but then requires you to add your income and tax return information from 2022.
Do spouses get free college?
The GI Bill pays 100% of tuition and fees for eligible military spouses and dependents, up to the maximum in-state tuition for public schools, and up to $22,805.34 per academic year for private or foreign schools. But first, you must have benefits transferred from the servicemember to their spouse.
Is there a grant for married couples in college?
The federal government offers several grants for qualified married students. These grants include the Federal Pell grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant and the Smart Grant. The benefit of applying for these grants is the fact that they do not have to be repaid.
What is the income limit for the Pell Grant?
Eligibility for Pell Grants
For the 2024-2025 FAFSA, a family of four living in the 48 contiguous states making up to $52,500 in AGI qualified for the Maximum Pell Grant.
Is it cheaper to stay unmarried?
The cost of living alone
But when you add it all up, maintaining a single-person household doesn't cost exactly half of a two-person household. That's why it's called the singles tax — it costs more to be on your own than it would for you to share costs with a partner.
Do both parents fill out FAFSA if married?
If your parents are married (not separated) and didn't file taxes jointly, both of your parents are contributors. If your parents are not married to each other and live together, both of your parents are contributors.
What income is too high for FAFSA?
Technically, no income is too high for the FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education recommends filling out the FAFSA yearly, regardless of income. However because FAFSA is needs-based aid, those from lower-income families with a greater financial need get access to more financial aid.
What disqualifies you from FAFSA?
Disqualifications for financial aid include lack of citizenship, defaulting on loans, drug offenses, failure to maintain academic progress, and incomplete FAFSA info.
Can I get FAFSA if I make 100k?
No matter how much you make, you can always submit a FAFSA. Eligibility for need-based financial aid increases as the cost of attendance increases, so even a wealthy student might qualify for financial aid at a higher-cost college.
Is it cheaper to go to college if you're married?
If married, regardless of your age, you are considered independent and your parents' income and assets will not be considered in financial aid calculations. If your parents have significant assets and your spouse does not, marriage will significantly increase your financial aid eligibility.
Is tuition cheaper if married?
When students marry, they can automatically claim themselves as independent, provided their parents do not claim them as dependents on their taxes. After that, gaining in-state tuition is a breeze.
Does FAFSA give you more money if you're married?
Getting married doesn't necessarily hurt or help your financial aid eligibility—it can really go either way. In some cases, married students could get more aid than they would if they were single. In other cases, it's just the opposite! This is due to the complex nature of financial aid award eligibility.
Do you get a bigger tax refund if you are married?
Key Takeaways
Double the Deductions: Married and filing jointly typically can net you a bigger Standard Deduction, reducing your taxable income—$29,200 for most couples under age 65 in 2024, up from $27,700 in 2023.
Is there any financial benefit to getting married?
Marriage can offer significant financial benefits such as pooled resources for retirement, access to spousal Social Security benefits, insurance coverage and discounts, and potential tax advantages. Financial planning for couples before marriage is crucial to avoid future conflict and align shared goals.
Does being married lower car insurance?
Your personal relationship status does have an impact on what you pay for car insurance. Because married drivers are seen as more financially stable and safer drivers, they typically pay less for car insurance.