I am sorry for your loss.
Bear with me:
Where is your dad, who is your legal next of kin? Is he in NY
If you were to stay in NYS, where would you live on breaks? is there a possibility that you can stay with your family in Texas on breaks?
When you filed for financial aid this year, did you let the school know that your mom passed away?
What does your current financial aid package look like> is stony brook affordable?
Did the school give you a dependency override based on your situation? IF yes, then I would recommend that you stay in NYS and attend stony brook (your financial aid would most likely be set and you would maintain your in-state residency). See the financial aid people, take copies of your mom’s death certificate SS award letters, PA assistance or anything else you have proving support
If you have no fixed place to live talk to them about being an unaccompanied minor (however, if you have always just lived with your mom and have no relationship with your dad, you will most likely get a dependency override. If your dad is not in your life, minimally you should go to Stonybrook’s FA office ASAP and talk to them about your status so that hopefully they will give you a dependency override.
If you have a 0 EFC, you will get full pell, full tap, your loan of $5500. You may have to borrow additional monies if you don’t have the ends? I would also ask for federal work study.