Getting married to gain financial independence from parents?

Question

I am a freshman in college, and my parents are refusing to help me pay. Because they are capable of paying, though, I am not eligible for need-based aid from my school. I want to gain independence so only my own funds are looked at in the financial aid process.

So, ignoring the questionable ethics, is it true that if I get married (just for convenience) I will be considered legally independent from my parents? Will this increase my eligibility for aid next year? Has anyone actually done this?

Thanks.

I guess I didn't make it very clear above-

The person I would marry would be totally aware of my reasons for marrying. I'm not looking to trick someone into marrying me. I'm talking about a good friend of mine who would be willing to marry me just for the legal stuff.

And yeah, I know there are other morality issues here, but I definately wanted to clear that one thing up.

Answer 1

School is very important, but marriage is as well. I hate to say this, but you are right you would gain independance finacially, but at what cost? Are you in love because this will effect the rest of your life. Good luck in life, and school. The odds are you will get aid next year. I understand u wanting to be independent. Also you can claim not to have a relationship with your parents that way their income won't be a factor. I assume you are of age 18 and they are usind your families income as always, but they do understand when a person no longer has their family ties. You may want to consider that first.

Answer 2

I have heard of it discussed but never anyone actually doing it. If the government finds out it is fraud and you will be investigated, this can even happen if someone at school hears about it and tells your financial aid office and they open an investigation. It also may not make you eligible for grants because you will need to use their income as well as yours and if your parents kick you out of the house for doing so you both may need to work if you don't know. A better way might be to join the military. All active duty military are now independent as well as having tuition assitance pay for $4500 towards tuition each year they may qualify for grants.

Answer 3

I did not actually get married, but i was frustrated at the time with my parents not paying as well. I found a way around it though!! listen up. I was living with my boyfriend and his parents at the time and had been since i graduated. my fin aid councelor said we didn't qualify for common law since we didn't file taxes together or have a joint account together. I did however meet the qualifications for declared independence. My deal wasn't so much that they wouldn't pay but that my parents were refusing to help fill out forms and give me tax info. I had to get my parents return from the local tax guy (just told him i was a dependent on it and i needed it for school), and gather about 5 statements from people like bf's parents saying I was no longer using my parents and was living away from them, and proof of address like city bill and the like that weren't in my parents name. councelor gathered up all the paperwork and said I could declare myself independent for refusal to assist and the fact that i was not using their money to live anyway and she only used my income for grants. hope my example gives another option!

Answer 4

It makes sense. I sure it varies from state to state.
But filing for legal independence would seem a lot more prudent. It doesn't come with the excess baggage of a husband which you would just be using for financial benefit.

Answer 5

Well you can try getting emancipated - then you will not be totally dependent on your parents, depending on your age now. Marriage is an alternative too, but it is better to do that for the right reasons - like you actually love the person and plan on spending the rest of your life with them.

Answer 6

Your husband's income will be factored into the equation, so I guess you'll wanna marry poor.