The financial aid I receive usually coves most of my schooling except for about $2000 which my parents help pay for. The dinning contract and the dorm contract together cost $4000. My question is if I were to live off campus would I receive the same amount of financial aid to cover tuition and all the other fees with a possible refund? Would I then only have to worry about rent and food or a possible off campus meal plan at a somewhat cheaper rate?
It depends on the school. Ask your school’s FA office and they’ll be able to tell you.
Schools publish different COAs (cost of attendance) for living on campus/off campus/commuting from home. These published numbers and your school’s financial aid policies will determine how much financial aid you receive if you live off campus.
This is NOT universally true. My undergrad had (and has!) only one COA for each in-state, out-of-state, and internationals regardless of living circumstances.
Hence, check with your school.
Well, they’re supposed to as per federal regs. Of course, they’re also supposed to have accurate and up-to-date NPCs available of their web sites.
Ok thanks I’m going to call them tomorrow or Friday to just see what they can tell me.
I looked up the schools my kids attended and there are not different COAs for on and off campus. Public schools.
Some schools have different cost estimates for different living situations, while others do not.
Check your school’s website and financial aid office.
Schools should have a COA for on and off campus living BUT the amounts might actually be the same.