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Financial Aid & Scholarships

Marriage Information

Moving out of single housing into Temple View Apartments (TVA): To qualify to live in TVA you must be enrolled in at least 12 credits. Contact housing and get your names on the waiting list as soon as you set a date for the wedding. The wedding date is the key to priority once the couple has paid the $50 non-refundable fee. When space comes available, the couple pays a $300 deposit fee which confirms the apartment. If one spouse is already in school the priority is higher.

Students sign contracts for housing and are expected to honor that contract and plan their marriage date accordingly as there are often financial penalties for breaking a contract.

There is no meal plan for students living in married student housing.

Depending on who you are marrying one of the following sections may apply to your circumstance:

  • Here are common expenses when you marry an international non-student:

    • Marriage license fee (approximate amount).
    • $50* Temple View Apartments (TVA) housing non-refundable fee.
    • $300 refundable security deposit for TVA.
    • Fee for a visa with other costs in travel, lodging, food, etc (approximate amount).
    • An airline ticket to bring a spouse to Hawaii if the spouse is not here.
    • $500* Student Medical Benefit for the spouse, IWORK will cover.
    • $10,000 non-student spouse deposit.
    • $410 non-student work permit (EAD card).

    Student Medical Benefits


    As long as you are a full-time student, the medical benefit is covered by the school. Your spouse’s medical benefit will be $500 a semester. Any children would be included in the $500 cost.

    USA Government Requirement


    Prior to your non-student spouse’s arrival in Hawaii, there must be $10,000 (USD) deposited into your BYUH student account showing the ability to assist with your spouse's living expenses. Your spouse can apply for a work permit upon arrival in the United States. In order to get a work permit, your spouse must go to International Student Services on campus and complete an application for an EAD card. This process costs $410 and may take up to more than three months.

    For Current IWORK Students


    As previously announced, BYUH recently adopted a new standard of financial savings required for J-2 visa seekers accompanying their J-1 visa spouse to campus. The required deposit was increased from $6,000 to $10,000. Due to some unforeseen hardships this has created for our current students, the PC has revisited this decision and revised the standard to accommodate a transition period.
    During the transition period:

    • All student J-1 visa holders currently matriculated and already on campus who request a J-2 visa for a non-student or former student (e.g., graduating, completing AT internships, discontinuing, etc.) spouse are required to deposit $6,000 USD into their student account prior to a DS-2019 being issued for a J-2 visa application.
    • Initial students who will be sponsored under the university’s J-1 visa program who are not yet on-island nor matriculated in classes who request a J-2 visa for a non-student spouse are required to deposit $10,000 USD into their student account prior to a DS-2019 being issued for a J-2 visa application.
    • Existing student J-1 visa holders who will be marrying an individual who is not yet on-island themselves and who request a J-2 visa will be required to deposit $10,000 USD into their student account prior to a DS-2019 being issued for a J-2 visa application.

    The transition period will end on July 1, 2024. After which, all J-1 visa holders seeking a J-2 visa for a non-student or former student spouse will be required to deposit $10,000 into their student account prior to a DS-2019 being issued for a J-2 visa application.

    The distinction between J-2 applicants who are new to BYUH versus those who are already here but changing status is to provide a transition period for current students who have been planning on a $6,000 threshold. The bright line test is essentially if BOTH the J-1 student and the J-2 applicant are currently on-campus, they will be under the former $6,000 standard. Otherwise, the new $10,000 standard applies.

    July 1 was selected as the cut-off date since any AT internship that began in winter 2023 will be concluded by the end of June 2024. Anyone attempting to secure a J-2 visa on or after July 1, 2024, will be subject to the higher deposit. Please make sure ALL international students are aware of this coming change immediately and are counseled to prepare accordingly.

    Pregnancies


    If your spouse is pregnant prior to coming to BYUH, please contact Financial Aid & Scholarships to discuss the cost associated with these circumstances. Married couples often set up a medical saving plan for emergencies and pregnancies. To set up a medical saving plan, contact Laurie Abregano in Health Services at (808) 675-3487 or send her an email at laurie.abregano@byuh.edu.
  • Here are common expenses when you marry an international student at BYU–Hawaii:

    • $60 marriage license in Hawaii.
    • $50* Temple View Apartments (TVA) housing non-refundable fee.*
    • $300 security fee for TVA.
    • $500* Student Medical Benefit: As long as you are both full-time students, the school covers the cost of the benefit. If there is a child or one spouse who doesn’t carry at least 12 credits, the medical benefit is an additional $500 a semester.

    Pregnancies


    If your spouse is pregnant prior to coming to BYUH, please contact Financial Aid & Scholarships to discuss the cost associated with these circumstances. Married couples often set up a medical saving plan for emergencies and pregnancies. To set up a medical saving plan, contact Laurie Abregano in Health Services at (808) 675-3487 or send her an email at laurie.abregano@byuh.edu.
  • Here are common expenses when you marry an American citizen:

    • $60 marriage license in Hawaii.
    • $50 Temple View Apartments (TVA) housing non-refundable fee.*
    • $300 security fee for TVA.
    • $500 Student Medical Benefit for spouse.
    • $1,320 spouse's half of the rent.

    Student Medical Benefit


    As long as you and spouse are full-time students, your Student Medical Benefit (SMB) is paid by BYUH.

    Pregnancies


    If your spouse is pregnant prior to coming to BYUH, please contact Financial Aid & Scholarship to discuss the cost associated with these circumstances. Married couples often set up a medical saving plan for emergencies and pregnancies. To set up a medical saving plan, contact Laurie Abregano in Health Services at (808) 675-3487 or send her an email at laurie.abregano@byuh.edu.

    Continuation About the IWORK Program After Marriage


    Please, see an IWORK counselor in Financial Aid & Scholarship.

    Green Card/Permanent U.S. Residency


    Any questions regarding applying for a green card/permanent U.S. residency, please contact International Student Services.

    Student Loans


    After obtaining your green card, you can apply for U.S. federal student aid.

    Travel Restriction


    The usual IWORK student travel restriction can be lifted for students who apply for a travel permit through International Student Services.

    Loan Repayment


    If you choose to remain in the United States or Canada, you will be required to pay back your IWORK loan (after your six-month grace period).