<p>My son was accepted at his first choice school as a music composition major. The merit scholarships are not enough and the music department said to complete the FAFSA and they will see what they can do. We called the finaid office and they have not returned the call and we have a call about housing. My son is willing to live at home or with a relative a block from the school if thats what it takes. What do we put for the housing question? On campus, off campus or commute? Can this be revisited with the school later?<br>
We want to get this done this week. Thanks!</p>
<p>If he’s planning on living at home, or with a relative, check “commute.” You can change it later.</p>
<p>The school has an estimated Cost of Attendance that includes room & board, if the student is living on campus, or renting off campus, and a different COA for commuter students who live at home. </p>
<p>If he later decides to rent, you can change it, and his COA will go up, as will his need and his potential aid.</p>
<p>If he is asking for more aid, keep it the most expensive COA (on campus) until you see the offers and then if he decides to live at home you can change it</p>
<p>Did you prepare your FAFSA yet? If the college fin aid office isn’t calling back and you want to make sure you are eligible in aid you could pay a small fee to a professional FAFSA preparer to get the application done quickly and accurately.If your child’s housing circumstances or any other personal financial circumstances change - for the 2009-2010 academic year you can modify the FAFSA until June 30, 2010 and some costs can be made retroactively.</p>
<p>I would not suggest paying to have your FAFSA completed. The questions asked are very straightforward. Unless you have a personal situation that is extremely complicated, there is absolutely no reason to pay anyone to do this for you (and even then, I would think twice).</p>
<p>Fill it out, send it in. Put on campus, since you might do that - you will get the best aid package available based on the higher on campus budget. It may well be that the package will be the same on or off campus - that depends on the COA and your EFC. But since you are trying to decide where your child will be able to live, mark on campus.</p>
<p>Thanks. My question has been answered. We will put live on campus and then discuss with them once we see the offer. The finaid person we talk with has been out.</p>