Housing and FAFSA

Paying for College
1

<p>Alright, so I was filling out the part of the FAFSA that I can do without much help. I got to the point where I put in the college/s I could attend. Now, I only applied to one college, and got in, and unless they rescind the offer, I'm going there. University of Tennessee at Knoxville, in case you're wondering.</p>

<p>Now, it asks if I am living on campus, with parents, or off campus. Now, here is my dilemma. I know that my family makes somewhere in the range of $30K to $40K per year. I can get a decent amount of financial aid because of this. In fact, with what I know I am receiving, I have enough to pay for the yearly tuition and book fee that UTK estimates. However, I would very much like to live on campus, but don't want to go the way of loans. I can live at home, as well, since I live around 10 to 15 minutes from the main UTK campus.</p>

<p>Now, UTK has the Tennessee Pledge Scholarship. Now, I'm not sure if I'm reading it wrong in the many times I've looked it up, but it seems to say that if you have an AGI of $40,000 or less, then "The scholarship, when combined with other federal, state, and institutional aid, will cover a student’s mandatory costs—tuition, fees, room and board, and a book allowance as determined by UT—without the use of student loans." That is the direct quote. </p>

<p>So, that is the information. Now, I am not perfectly sure I will get this scholarship. I don't want to put all my hopes on this one thing and just assume that I'll get it. All I need it for is the room and board costs, now, as well. So, my question is, should I say that I'm going for on-campus housing in my FAFSA? If I don't get this Pledge Scholarship, do you think I can go and say I don't want housing anymore without having to pay huge fees? Is it a good idea to apply for housing if I'm not sure I'll be able to actually afford it?</p>

<p>Sorry for the long post! This dealt with the FAFSA, so that's why I posted it here. I hope it isn't confusing or whatever.</p>

2

<p>The housing question on FAFSA is because the COA can vary depending on what your housing choice is. Some schools have just one COA, some have 2 (on campus or off campus), Others have 3 COAs (on campus, off campus not with parents, off campus with parents). Your FA is based on the COA relevant to your situation.</p>

<p>If you think you may live on campus then select on campus. If you end up changing your mind you can change it later.</p>

3

<p>I agree, check the box for living on campus. When you get your financial aid letter this winter or spring, should you decide that you will live at home because of what you will receive, e-mail or call finaid at the school and let them know. Be forwarned that they may adjust how much and how your finaid is awarded but all this will be done before your bill comes in August. But there will be no punitive penalty for changing your mind.</p>