So I have a friend who lied on their FAFSA application saying they were going to “live off-campus” instead of on-campus because their dad told them “that way she’d get more money”. Well other then the fact that this is just wrong, is there any truth or logic behind what they said? Because I thought the aid you received depends on your parent’s annual income. Which is weird because they are middle class.
In general, off-campus housing allowances are lower than on-campus so there is no logic in that statement but it really depends upon the CSU location and surrounding area off-campus costs.
For the Cal states, unless you have a $0 EFC, housing costs are not covered at all or only partially.
Here is an example of SDSU’s off campus vs on-campus housing costs: https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/san-diego-state-university/paying-for-college/room-and-board/
What is important is what your costs will be so I would not worry about anyone else’s situation or what they claim to have done.
I would also like to add that many college campuses have a Freshman on-campus living requirement and require a housing waiver if you want to live off campus. SDSU now requires all Freshman and Sophomores outside the local area to live on-campus.
I doubt they’ll get more money awarded, but even if they did…the school would soon know that the daughter is going to live on campus, and would probably adjust the aid.