Marriage and Dependents in LIPP
Graduates who are married will be evaluated on the basis of either (1) their own income (if their spouse makes less than they do), or (2) half of the joint income (if the spouse makes more than the LIPP participant). Any annual education loan payments for the spouse will be subtracted from the spouse’s income before determining the joint income.
If HLS graduates are married to each other and would qualify for LIPP based on their individual incomes, then both can participate independently in the program. Total joint assets will be divided equally between the two participants (see Assets) in the LIPP evaluation.
A dependency allowance of $6,000 for the first child and $3,600 for each additional child, plus reasonable expenses incurred for child care, will be subtracted from the income to determine the expected contribution rate. The dependency allowance(s) are considered in determining initial LIPP eligibility. The dependency allowances are applied proportionately to each income when both parents are working. When one parent is at home caring for the child(ren), the allowances are applied in full to the one income.