The Free Application for Federal Student Aid now recognizes same-sex marriages from states that allow them, and Gainesville residents are reacting to the change.
The FAFSA website says the move to recognize legal same-sex marriages is based on the Supreme Court’s decision last year that found a section of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional.
This policy change affects students and their parents who may see a smaller amount of federal aid awarded to them next year now that both parental incomes must be reported rather than just one.
LB Hannahs, the director of UF’s LGBT Affairs, said the changes are both a sign of progress and somewhat unfair to students who will lose aid.
“There’s still an imbalance in terms of what rights are afforded to LGBT people because of the difference between the federal and state laws,” Hannahs said. “So is it a sign of progress? Yes, but it’s complicated.”
Hannahs said the recognition of same-sex marriage on a federal level will continue to be complicated until all states have legal same-sex marriage, which Florida does not. But the change is still a step toward equality.
“It puts you at an equal playing field with folks from opposite-sex parents,” Hannahs said.
Besides equality and fairness under the federal law, Hannahs believes the new change has to do with money as well.
Lieb Wexler, a 20-year-old UF biological engineering junior, has lived with his mothers since they met 10 years ago. Although Wexler’s moms are not legally married, he said they plan to marry one day, and they wear wedding bands to symbolize their commitment.
The change will not affect Wexler directly, but he said he could relate to students whom it will affect.
“The treatment of same-sex couples under the new rule would seem just if it wasn’t for the fact that same-sex marriages are not treated fairly under all respects of the law,” he said.
A UF Office for Student Financial Affairs statement stated that it does not yet know the repercussions the change in policy will have on awards.
[A version of this story ran on page 3 on 2/28/2014 under the headline "FAFSA recognizes more couples"]
