<p>Just wondering here... I will most likely be attending the school that has recently offered me full tuition (only tuition) scholarship... I will not be living on campus as I live a few blocks away from campus and commuting from home is no big deal. Since my EFC is 0 (my father is on disability, my mom stays home to take care of him), does that mean that my amount of financial aid (which includes NYS TAP, etc.) will exceed the estimated cost of attendance? If so, what does this mean for me?</p>
<p>Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it as you can obviously tell that the $$ issue is at the top of my list of college concerns.</p>
<p>Generally, need-based financial aid cannot exceed the COA. Your scholarship (congratulations, BTW!) will be deducted from the FA award. (If the COA is $20,000 and your scholarship is $15,000, your need-based aid would be $5,000). You won't get aid for living at home; your costs of living there are the same as they were when you were in high school. You may get aid to cover books and other incidentals, but that would be about it. And that's only if your school meets 100% of need.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure that the calculation for COA for commuting students includes more than just tuition (fees, books etc) and therefore a Pell Grant would cover these additional costs (But based on your circumstances NYS TAP would not be available because it is only used towards tuition)</p>
<p>Check your school's website for COA for commuting students or better yet, call the financial aid office for guidance in this matter. </p>
<p>I also think you should look into whether or not a meal plan could be covered by your Pell. As a commuter you will spend a lot of time on campus, and if the Pell covers your meal plan you won't have out of pocket costs. Plus, you may save your parents some money on food. (Meal plan costs covered by financial aid will be taxable next year, so make sure that you use it if you get it)</p>
<p>College financial aid was specifically designed for students like yourself. I would establish a relationship with the financial aid office, sit down and try to figure out how to take advantage of what you are entitled to. Run all your numbers - would it work out better if you were not a commuter???</p>
<p>Supplementary Educational opportunity Grant - probably eligible for this to but I know nothing about it. </p>