As part of the U.S. Department of Education’s ongoing efforts to implement inclusive policies that reflect the diversity of country’s families, and consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in United States v. Windsor, the department announced new guidance on the use of “marriage” and “spouse” in the federal student aid programs, including on the completion of the FAFSA, the federal student aid form.
Before the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Windsor, the department had interpreted all provisions of Title IV of the Higher Education Act—which authorizes the federal student aid programs—consistent with Section 3 of DOMA, which prohibited all federal agencies from recognizing same-sex marriages.
More information can be found at studentaid.ed.gov.